BERLIN: The German government says it is trying to deport a former follower of Osama bin Laden despite court rulings barring his transfer to Tunisia.
The case of Sami A., whose full name wasn鈥檛 released, has caused anger in Germany after it was revealed that he receives monthly state benefits of 1,168 euros ($1,427).
Responding to queries from the Alternative for Germany party, the government of North Rhine-Westphalia state said the 42-year-old can鈥檛 be deported because he might face torture in Tunisia.
Germany wants diplomatic assurances from Tunisia he won鈥檛 be tortured, but that these haven鈥檛 been forthcoming yet.
A spokesman for the federal interior ministry, Harald Neymanns, said Wednesday 鈥渢here are attempts to deport the former bodyguard of bin Laden鈥� and a ministerial task force will examine the case soon.