Refugee advocates have voiced concerns for the welfare of a 19-year-old Tamil man, whose planned transfer from Melbourne was aborted amid passenger protests on Tuesday.
SBS understands the transfer to Darwin was cancelled after passengers on the flight protested against the actions by Department of Immigration and Border Protection staff.
Advocates have now come forward with claims that they cannot contact the man, nor clarify where he is being held.
Refugee Action Collective spokesperson AJ van Tonder said visitors have been turned away from both the Maribyrnong Immigration Detention Centre and a transit facility at Broadmeadows.
In a statement to SBS, Mr van Tonder said staff “will not tell anyone where he is”.
“They aren't even allowing his lawyers to speak to him,” he said.
“His lawyers need to contact him in regards to appealing his assessment in court... His case manager will not answer any calls or emails regarding his whereabouts.
“The Immigration Department have effectively 'disappeared' this young man.”
A Department of Immigration and Border Protection spokesperson confirmed that the man remained in an immigration detention facility, but declined naming which one.
In a statement provided to SBS, the spokesperson also dismissed claims that the man could not contact his lawyers.
“All detainees in immigration detention are able to seek legal representation and are provided with access to telephones,” they said.
Advocates have previously voiced concerns that the man could be deported to Sri Lanka, which they claim he could face imprisonment.
They are calling on Qantas to “stop flying forced transfers and deportations of asylum seekers”.
Comment has been sought from the airline.
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