Canadian general says military knew of abuse risk

[David]

AP


TORONTO – Canada's top general says there is evidence that a prisoner captured by the military in 2006 and handed over to Afghan authorities was abused.

Gen. Walt Natynczyk's disclosure contradicts Defense Minister Peter MacKay's repeated insistence that not a single case of torture of detainees could be proven.

The revelation raises questions about whether Canada violated international law by continuing to transfer prisoners to Afghan custody after it had evidence of abuse.

Opposition parties stepped up calls for MacKay's resignation and are demanding a public inquiry.

Natynczyk says he's launching an investigation into why neither he, nor his predecessor, Gen. Rick Hillier, saw a platoon commander's report, which detailed the prisoner's capture.