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.
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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.
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.
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."
