OTTAWA - A civilian-run military watchdog is starting a probe into the handover of Afghanistan war prisoners.
The Military Police Complaints Commission is investigating an allegation from Amnesty International Canada and the B.C. Civil Liberties Association.
The groups say Canadian military police did not properly investigate officers responsible for directing the transfer of detainees to Afghan authorities, allegedly at the risk of torture.
Transferring prisoners between countries knowing they likely face torture is considered a war crime.
Diplomat Richard Colvin told a special House of Commons committee last November that the majority of prisoners Canada handed over to the Afghan intelligence service were tortured.
But the Conservative government and military commanders, past and present, deny the allegation.
10:21ET 06-04-10
