Former Afghan envoy defies Ottawa, files testimony on alleged abuse of detainees
Despite threats from Ottawa that he could face charges under Canada’s anti-terrorism law for speaking out about the alleged abuse of Afghan detainees, the former political director of a provincial reconstruction team could become the star witness before a military watchdog investigating the complaints. The Globe and Mail reports that Richard Colvin has told the Military Complaints Commission he has “vital information to report,” but the commission won’t find out what he has to say until after “government censors” have gone through his still-sealed testimony to make sure it doesn’t breach national security. The commission has been battling Ottawa’s efforts to shut down the investigation for months; earlier this week, lead commissioner Peter Tinsley announced that he would be appealing a federal court decision that drastically limited the scope of the inquiry, but time is running out. Tinsley’s term expires on December 11th and the Conservative government has so far refused his request to be re-appointed.