Fake Deportation Tickets

Author

Global Recap
January 14, 2025 • Read in: 10 minutes

Hi Global Recap readers,

🤔 Just imagine: You’re an illegal immigrant walking around in Germany, and you find what looks like a plane ticket on the ground, seemingly meant for you.

Deportation Ticket

From: Germany

To: Safe country of origin

Well, this actually happened in Germany, courtesy of the AfD party. Some call it racist, while others are questioning what’s wrong with simply enforcing the rule of law.

What do you think? 👇️ 

🇩🇪 GERMANY
AfD's Fake Deportation Tickets

Germany's Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has stirred up controversy by distributing fake deportation tickets to migrants in Karlsruhe.

This comes as the party pushes for deportation proposals ahead of the national election.

Fake Ticket Flyers

AfD handed out thousands of flyers that look like plane tickets to migrants.

  • The tickets had a departure date of February 23, the day of Germany's national election.

  • Flyers read, “In your home country, it’s also nice,” and mentioned “large-scale repatriations.”

Proposals

AfD's national leaders are embracing robust deportation measures.

  • AfD chancellor candidate Alice Weidel announced plans for “large-scale repatriations” if the party comes to power.

  • Weidel used the term “remigration,” a euphemism for mass deportations.

Despite the media framing it as being directed at “migrants” broadly, the party clarified that it’s aimed at “noncitizens in the country illegally.”

Why is it so controversial to say that illegal immigrants can’t stay? They are, after all, illegally residing. However, critics argue that this could lead to people assuming others’ immigration status based solely on their appearance, even if they’re not illegal immigrants—leading to normalization of racism.

Police Investigation

But this isn’t stoping authorities from investigating the incident as potential incitement to hatred.

  • Public broadcaster SWR reported that fake tickets were distributed in migrant-heavy neighborhoods.

  • AfD denied targeting specific areas, claiming the flyers were distributed widely.

Political Uproar

Mainstream political leaders in Germany have condemned the stunt.

  • Greens chancellor candidate Robert Habeck called it “pure racism” and warned it would deter people from coming to Germany.

  • Germany’s federal domestic intelligence agency has classified AfD as a suspected extremist organization.

“The election flyer is currently being distributed in Karlsruhe in as large a number as possible and without any particular specifications or restrictions.”

“It is intended to make voters aware of our proposals in this area, which are fully in line with the legal situation.”

The Karlsruhe AfD chapter

AfD's Popularity

Despite the backlash, AfD is polling second nationwide now.

  • The party has seen significant growth in support in recent months.

  • Last year, AfD faced massive protests after an investigative report revealed their involvement in “a right-wing extremist” meeting discussing a remigration plan.

Yes, “very extreme” indeed.

📊 Poll

Do you think this is "incitement to hatred"?

(Live poll)

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

🇰🇷 SOUTH KOREA
President Finally Arrested

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has finally been arrested by anti-corruption investigators after a rather dramatic weekslong tug of war.

Arrest and Charges

Yoon was taken into custody for questioning on multiple investigations.

  • The charges include leading an alleged insurrection, a crime punishable by life imprisonment or even the death penalty.

  • Yoon had been evading arrest in his fortified residence, surrounded by his Presidential Security Service team.

Public Reaction

The arrest has sparked protests and demonstrations.

  • Supporters and opponents of Yoon gathered around his compound, chanting slogans and displaying signs.

  • Protesters chanted “resign,” “your time is up,” and “take responsibility,” while supporters chanted “invalid impeachment,” “stop the steal,” and “free ROK.”

Legal Proceedings

President Yoon entering the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials in Gwacheon, South Korea, on January 15, 2025.

Yoon faces an impeachment trial and multiple investigations.

  • The Constitutional Court will decide whether he will be formally removed or reinstated.

  • The first day of Yoon’s impeachment trial began Tuesday but ended after just four minutes when he refused to show.

Context

Yoon declared martial law in a surprise late-night address on December 3.

  • He claimed opposition lawmakers had “paralyzed state affairs” and that the move was necessary to “safeguard a liberal South Korea” from “anti-state elements.”

  • The National Assembly voted to reverse the declaration six hours later.

Political Disarray

South Korea has been in political turmoil since Yoon’s martial law declaration.

  • Parliament has also voted to impeach Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and other members of Yoon’s administration.

  • Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok is now acting president, but there were talks of impeaching him too.

🔍 Observation: I believe it is this relentless talk of impeaching opponents may have played a role in the recent rise in President Yoon’s approval rating.

On the surface, it also seems to validate Yoon’s claims that South Korea is being overrun by communist sympathizers. This doesn’t mean it’s true, but it’s just the optics of it all.

🇮🇱 ISRAEL
Israel and Hamas:
Ceasefire Soon?

Israel and Hamas seem to be inching closer to a ceasefire deal, with Hamas accepting a draft agreement for a Gaza ceasefire and the release of hostages.

Mediators from the US and Qatar say this is the closest the two sides have come to sealing a deal to end 15 months of war.

Draft Agreement Accepted

Hamas has accepted a draft agreement for a ceasefire and the release of hostages.

  • The agreement includes a three-phase plan that needs to be submitted to the Israeli Cabinet for final approval.

  • An Israeli official confirmed progress but mentioned that details are still being finalized.

Ceasefire Details

The three-phase agreement outlines specific steps for both sides.

  • Phase 1 (42 days): Hamas releases 33 hostages, including female civilians and soldiers, children, and civilians over 50. Israel releases 30 Palestinian prisoners for each civilian hostage and 50 for each female soldier. Fighting halts, and Israeli forces move to the edges of the Gaza Strip.

  • Phase 2 (42 days): Declaration of “sustainable calm.” Hamas frees remaining male hostages in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners and a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.

  • Phase 3: Bodies of deceased hostages exchanged for bodies of deceased Palestinian fighters. Implementation of a reconstruction plan in Gaza and reopening of border crossings.

Mixed Protests

Hundreds marched in Jerusalem against the expected agreement.

  • Protesters chanted, “You don’t make a deal with the devil,” and claimed the Israeli government has “no mandate to surrender to Hamas.”

  • Relatives of Israeli hostages held demonstrations in Tel Aviv, expressing disappointment that not all hostages would be released in the first stage.

However, things were a bit different in Tel Aviv.

  • Thousands of Israelis rallied in Tel Aviv in support of the deal, emphasizing humanity and the belief that “no one should be left behind in darkness.”

Approval and Challenges

The plan needs approval from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Security Cabinet and full Cabinet.

  • Officials are optimistic but cautious, as previous negotiations have stalled.

  • The goal is to conclude an agreement before the Jan. 20 inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, whose Middle East envoy has joined the negotiations.

🇹🇼 TAIWAN
Chinese Espionage Tactics

Taiwan’s National Security Bureau (NSB) has published an analysis detailing Chinese Communist Party (CCP) infiltration techniques.

💭 Thoughts: If true, this sounds incredibly detailed and well-thought-out. While I had doubts about China’s intentions to invade Taiwan, they certainly seem prepared—though they’ve been caught.

Infiltration Channels

The NSB identified five major infiltration channels used by the CCP. This seems extremely thorough…

  • Criminal Gangs: Collaborating with gangs to form armed support groups and recruit retired military personnel.

  • Underground Financial Networks: Setting up shell companies and operating financial networks to coerce soldiers into espionage.

  • Front Companies: Using businesses as fronts to gather intelligence and recruit spies.

  • Temple Groups: Leveraging religious activities to approach and recruit military personnel.

  • Civic Groups: Establishing “CCP United Front Work Committees” to influence elections and recruit spies.

Espionage Methods

The CCP employs various methods to recruit and coerce individuals. Like most things in life, it boils down to money and social connections.

  • Monetary Inducements: Offering financial incentives to active-duty troops through retired soldiers.

  • Debt Coercion: Using debt as leverage to force individuals into espionage activities.

  • Online Connections: Establishing connections through social media platforms like Facebook, LINE, and LinkedIn.

Building Sniper Teams

The CCP is also reportedly forming sniper teams for potential invasion scenarios.

  • Gang members recruit retired military personnel to plan sniper missions against Taiwan’s military facilities and foreign representative offices.

  • These teams are tasked with acts of sabotage during a potential invasion.

Rising Espionage Cases

The number of individuals prosecuted for Chinese espionage has surged.

  • In 2023, 48 individuals were prosecuted, and in 2024, the number rose to 64.

  • Espionage cases prosecuted increased from 3 in 2021 to 14 in 2023.

Sore Thumb…

As you read above, a common thread emerges: retired personnel. This is brilliant targeting if you think about it.

Although their pensions may be higher than those in many other fields, many of these individuals are known to face boredom, loneliness, and the need for side cash.

  • Current and retired military personnel are the primary targets.

  • In 2024, 15 retired service members (23%) and 28 active-duty personnel (43%) were indicted.

  • The CCP targets these groups to infiltrate Taiwan’s military units and government agencies.