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No review of SAS role, government says

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Tue, 11 Oct 2011 9:24p.m.

Defence Minister Wayne Mapp

Defence Minister Wayne Mapp

The Government won't review the role of the SAS in Afghanistan even though a UN report has revealed evidence that prisoners have been tortured, Defence Minister Wayne Mapp says.

The Green Party's defence spokesman, Keith Locke, earlier on Tuesday called for a review because the troops operate with the Afghan Crisis Response Unit (CRU).

He said it was likely some prisoners captured in joint operations had been handed over to agencies which tortured them.

But Dr Mapp told NZ Newswire he had no information that anyone arrested by the CRU had been mistreated or tortured.

"I don't think there's a need to review the deployment, although the issue of detainees has always concerned me," Dr Mapp said.

"As far as we can tell, people who were arrested by the CRU were not interviewed by the UN."

Mr Locke said the UN report detailed torture in the National Directorate of Security's Department 90/124, which specialised in interrogating suspects captured by special forces.

Dr Mapp said the CRU had not transferred any prisoners to Department 90/124.

NZN

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Comments

18 Oct 2011 12:04a.m.

jazmin wrote:

So no change:: Keep dieing for a jews war.

A new front to invade Iran. Gas pipelines to Israel. Humiliate Muzlims.
But Totally pointless for us. Sorry Boys.