Germany sends second batch of Afghan refugees to Kabul

KABUL (AFP) -- Deported after years of living in Germany, 26 young Afghans arrived in Kabul Tuesday with only one thought in mind: fleeing this war-torn country.

Escorted by 80 German police officers, their plane landed shortly after 7:30 a.m. -- the second batch deported under a disputed Afghan-EU deal signed last October and aimed at curbing the influx of migrants.

"What would you have me do here? There is only death!" said 19-year-old Ramid Afshah, returning from Germany after five years -- a country it had taken him six months to reach.

Airport police spokesman Mohammad Adjmal Fawzi said at least one of the 26 was "suffering" and showing signs of psychological distress, adding: "He could be brought back to Germany."

Several of the migrants told AFP they had been arrested Monday morning at dawn and sent to Kabul with just a small piece of luggage or a backpack containing their belongings. 

"The police came to pick us up yesterday morning at 4 am and we were treated like animals," said Arash Alkozai, 21.

Alkozai, who had come to Germany when he was 16, was living in Munich with his family before taking a room in the city. After leaving school he had studied auto repair, all the while learning to speak his adopted tongue "perfectly".

"I cannot say anything negative about this country that helped me. I respect its decision but now I'm living a nightmare. I've left behind my three-month pregnant girlfriend, I won't find work here and there's no security," he said.