Footage emerges of Hazara sent back to Afghanistan

The ABC's Lateline program has
obtained footage of a man who was returned to Afghanistan from Australia
only to be captured by the Taliban.



The federal government is investigating claims the first
Afghan asylum seeker to be forcibly deported from Australia was held
hostage and tortured by the Taliban within weeks of his return.



ABC's Lateline program on Monday night aired footage that Afghan police say is the interrogation of Hazara man Zainullah Naseri.




The video shows a dishevelled Mr Naseri emerging from
darkness to the sound of gunfire after reportedly escaping from
militants. Afghan police are heard yelling at him to keep his hands up
as they take him into custody. 





Hazara man Zainullah Naseri speaking on Lateline.
Hazara man Zainullah Naseri speaking on Lateline. Photo: ABC






Mr Naseri arrived in Australia by boat in 2011 and spent time
in detention before being granted a bridging visa. He was deported from
Australia in late August after his refugee application was rejected by
the Immigration Department.




Mr Naseri was reportedly abducted and tortured by the Taliban
for two days but managed to break free from chains around his leg using
a rock.



He said he was kidnapped while travelling from Kabul to his
home district of Jaghori, along the same stretch of road where
Australian-Afghan Sayed Habib Musawi, also a Hazara, was reportedly
killed by the Taliban last month.





Footage believed to be that of Zainullah Naseri under interrogation.
Footage believed to be that of Zainullah Naseri under interrogation. Photo: ABC






Mr Naseri told the ABC he was targeted within weeks of
returning to Afghanistan because militants found evidence linking him to
Australia.



"They found my [Australian] driving licence, then they
understood I was from Australia. They beat me, they said 'this boy is
from Australia, that country is full of infidels'," he said.



Immigration Minister Scott Morrison on Monday night said the
inquiry into the case was ongoing, but that it appeared the abduction
was "opportunistic".



"I am advised that at this stage, the reports suggest that
any kidnapping was opportunistic and is not therefore related to a fear
of persecution that would have otherwise given rise to a protection
obligation," Mr Morrison said in a statement.



"Australia has and will return failed asylum seekers to
Afghanistan but does not remove people to their country of origin where
it would be inconsistent with Australia's protection obligations."



The ABC also reported the Australian Government is
considering deporting several more Hazara people, including one man as
early as Tuesday.



Mr Naseri, who is living in hiding, said he feared for his life now more than ever.



"The Taliban took all my documents," he said.



"They may even print my photos and place them everywhere and
they might try to capture me again. Even in Kabul I feel paranoid when
others see me, including the police. It's had a really bad effect on
me."