Germany says it has carried out its first deportation of convicted Afghan offenders since the return of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan three years ago.

The flight came a week after three people were fatally stabbed at a street festival in the western town of Solingen.

The killings shocked Germany and sparked an intense debate over asylum rules when it emerged the main suspect was a 26-year-old Syrian refugee facing deportation. 

The government in Berlin has already announced a series of measures ahead of elections on Sunday in eastern Germany.

Asylum seekers facing deportation are to lose benefits and carrying knives will be banned at most public events and on public transport.