AN asylum seeker has been forcibly deported back to Afghanistan despite fears that he may return to a death sentence.

Ali Jafari has served a jail sentence in Afghanistan after giving information to the ousted fundamentalist Taliban regime, under duress.

Mr Jafari, 25, who has lived in Middlesbrough for 18 months, is said to have enemies in the country's new government, put in place following the US war on terror in 2001.

According to friends of the Hazara Shi'ite Muslim, Mr Jafari reported to Middlesbrough Police station on Tuesday night, as a condition of his asylum-seeking status, only to be met by immigration officials.

They took him to Colnbrook Detention Centre in Middlesex, to await the next flight to Afghanistan.

Friends claim he was deported the same day as a letter was sent to his solicitor, saying that action would be taken.

Mr Jafari has mental health problems and was deported without being able to take any personal belongings or medication.

Friend Christine Nori said: "It's disgraceful. The Home Office played a dirty trick on him and now he fears for his life."

The Home Office said last night it did not discuss individual cases.