CP: Ottawa tries to halt military police commission probe of Afghan prisoners

[tuvor]

OTTAWA — Federal lawyers are attempting to shut down an investigation by the military police complaints commission into the handling of Taliban prisoners captured by Canadian troops in Afghanistan.

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A lawyer for both human rights groups contended Sunday that it's far too late for the government to argue the commission has no authority to investigate, since the initial complaint was filed well over a year ago.

"If they wanted to object to the commission having jurisdiction over this matter, they should have done so a year ago when the commission made its decision to investigate," said Paul Champ.

"The fact they're only raising it now, when public hearings are about to start, I think can only lead to the conclusion they want to avoid public hearings."

http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5gxgsVIYyQJidY4lopLjdPSmqAuDA

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