STOCKHOLM, March 23, 2008 (AFP) - The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has criticised Sweden's plans to deport a 23-year-old Eritrean asylum seeker, Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter reported on Sunday.

The human rights office has sent a fax to the Swedish foreign ministry demanding an explanation and urging authorities to try the man's case again, according to the newspaper, which added that the fax has been partially classified.

The foreign ministry was unable to provide AFP with a copy of the fax on Sunday.

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees had previously appealed to the Swedish Migration Board to review its deportation ruling, citing the punishment the Eritrean man risks from his country's regime because of his political activities.

The Eritrean, whose name has not been disclosed and who sought asylum in the Scandinavian country in 2002, is due to be deported 'in the coming weeks' and is being held in detention pending his departure, Dagens Nyheter reported. The UN rights office has demanded that authorities explain why the man is being held in detention, and whether his confinement is in line with Swedish legislation and the UN declaration on human rights.

Swedish authorities have tried to deport the man on two occasions previously despite harsh criticism from human rights organisations.

The first time, he was put on a specially chartered plane but was denied entry to Eritrea and was returned to Sweden. The second time, the pilot refused to fly with the man on board because of his agitated behaviour.

On March 7, the Eritrean embassy issued a temporary passport for the man, enabling authorities to now carry out his deportation, Dagens Nyheter said.

Amnesty International has previously said the man risks being jailed upon his arrival in Eritrea.