British Government Halts Transfer Of Afghan Detainees

The British government has halted the transfer of detainees captured in Afghanistan to Afghan custody, citing the risk of torture.

A Defense Ministry spokesman has confirmed that a moratorium on transfers went into effect on November 28.

On November 29, a lawyer told a London court she had been informed of the temporary ban in a letter sent to her by Defense Secretary Philip Hammond.

The lawyer is acting on behalf of an Afghan farmer who wants the court to declare there is a "real risk" that detainees are in danger of being abused and tortured in Afghan jails.

The 24-year-old Afghan farmer says he was captured by British forces in Afghanistan in 2010 and transferred to Afghan custody, where he was tortured.

Based on reporting by dpa and BBC