Minister revisits Afghan arrest figures

A member of the NZ SAS on patrol in Afghanistan. Photo / Supplied.

New Zealand SAS forces have taken part in 35 operations since last June where people were arrested by the Afghan authorities, Defence Minister Wayne Mapp has revealed amid concerns some detainees were mistreated.

In response to a written question from Green MP Keith Locke, Dr Mapp, who earlier told Parliament the SAS had taken part in 24 such operations, said he had now received updated information that took the number to 35.

Metro magazine journalist Jon Stephenson has reported that the SAS handed suspects to authorities including the Afghan secret police, the National Directorate of Security, which has a reputation for torturing prisoners.

Prime Minister John Key has said Stephenson's report is not consistent with information from the Defence Force and has attacked his credibility.

However, Mr Locke said the Government's denials that the SAS could be handing prisoners over to torture were becoming less credible.

Dr Mapp said the SAS had been in support of the Afghan Crisis Response Unit (CRU) during the 35 operations he disclosed.

Mr Locke responded, "We do know, from the one joint SAS/CRU operation we have details about, that 'in support' doesn't mean SAS troopers are standing around with hands in their pockets.

"It is likely that some of the prisoners taken on the 35 SAS/CRU joint operations previously referred to were subsequently mistreated in Afghan prison cells, given the poor record of agencies like the National Directorate of Security."

New Zealand has signed several international conventions outlawing inhumane treatment - including torture - of prisoners.

"New Zealand cannot absolve itself of moral or legal responsibility for that with the fiction that our troops were only 'in support' during these operations," said Mr Locke.

The Green MP has called for a parliamentary inquiry but that has been blocked by the Government.