Germany could deport any refugees involved in Cologne sex attacks
Asylum seekers could be deported if they are found to have taken part in a string of New Year sex attacks in Cologne, Germany's justice minister has said.
Police said witnesses have described the perpetrators as being of "Arab or North African origin", but there is little solid information on who committed the assaults.
That has been seized upon by some opponents of Germany's welcoming stance towards those fleeing conflict.
Officials have warned against casting suspicion on refugees in general.
Nevertheless, Justice Minister Heiko Maas said in an interview with the Funke newspaper group published today that "deportations would certainly be conceivable".
He said the law allows for people to be deported during asylum proceedings if they are sentenced to a year or more in prison, and that is possible with sexual offences.
