16/12/2009 (Agence Europe) - Despite protests from MEPs and associations, the French minister for immigration, Eric Besson, confirmed expulsion from France of nine Afghans, “readmitted” to their home country, on Wednesday 16 December by Franco-British charter. “I confirm that this morning nine Afghans in an illegal situation were sent back to Afghanistan. Unlike what has been said and affirmed, they are not refugees, they did not have the right of asylum and, what is more, they had not asked for it”, the minister added. On Tuesday, about 40 MEPs had called for an end to such expulsions (EUROPE 10041). (B.C./transl.jl)