Denmark: Afghan to sue for military's negligence

A court will decide whether the military violated the Geneva convention when it transferred Afghan prisoners to US forces

A man who claims to have been tortured by US forces in Afghanistan in 2002 is suing the Danish state for what he claims is the Danish military's negligence for handing him over, knowing there was a risk he would be tortured.

Questions about the transfer of 31 Afghan prisoners from Danish to US forces were raised in the 2006 documentary 'Den Hemmelig Krig' (The Secret War), broadcast by public broadcaster DR.

According to DR, Ghousoullah Tarin is seeking 50,000 kroner in compensation from the Danish state. But Tarin's Danish attorney, Tyge Trier, said the case will also deal with whether Danish forces violated the Geneva convention by handing over the troops.

Tarin, Trier said, believes the Danish forces violated the convention, as they were aware he risked 'indefensible' treatment at the hands of the US military.

A decision in the case is expected by the end of the year.

~ The Copenhagen Post ~