Afghanistan events to be scrutinised

The watchdog of New Zealand’s spy agencies will investigate our intelligence agencies’ role in Operation Burnham in Afghanistan, including how detainees were treated.

The operation is described in the book Hit and Run, by Nicky Hager and Jon Stephenson. The book alleges an insurgent was captured by members of the NZ Special Air Service before being beaten, then handed to local police and tortured.

Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security (IGIS) Cheryl Gwyn said she would investigate “certain events in Afghanistan”, in a report addressing aspects of the 2018 and 2019 work programme.

Gwyn said: “One inquiry will look into certain events in Afghanistan, some of which relate to the events described in Hit and Run ...

“The IGIS expects to publish a report in the next few months on her inquiry into possible New Zealand engagement with the CIA detention and interrogation programme of 2001-2009.

“The work programme will also include regular reviews of all intelligence warrants from both agencies, and will produce a report on the warrants issued since the new Intelligence and Security Act 2017 came into operation.

“The inquiry is not considering the actions and conduct of the New Zealand Defence Force, although some specific events and questions of fact may be common to both my inquiry and the Government inquiry announced by the Attorney-General on 11 April 2018.”