Extradition of Ukrainian men from Germany for mobilization to the Ukrainian Armed Forces is unlikely, writes the Dresden-based Sächsische Zeitung newspaper.
Desertion in Germany, as in Ukraine, is a criminal offense. However, the German Constitution recognizes the right to refuse military service.
At the same time, desertion in Germany is considered to be a situation where a soldier has fled from his place of service. And mobilization evaders do not fall under this definition.
The Federal Court has declared that "extradition is inadmissible" if the act is "purely military" and does not constitute a criminal offense under "common law."
The Federal Ministry of the Internal Affairs stated that all Ukrainians, both women and men, were equally "granted temporary protection." The relevant permits are currently valid until early March 2025.
The Federal Ministry of Justice also stated that extradition "does not apply in cases of war crimes."
Almost 200,000 Ukrainians of military age are registered in Germany.
