Ex-Canadian top general in Afghanistan detained

OTTAWA: A former Canadian brigadier-general and head of Canadian forces in Afghanistan is being detained in Afghanistan for alleged gun smuggling, but his employer said Thursday he is expected to be released soon. Daniel Menard resigned from the military after pleading guilty in 2011 to having an affair with a female corporal under his command on active duty. He now works for security firm Garda World, whose spokesperson told AFP Menard was picked up by Afghan authorities on or about January 12 after a meeting with Afghan officials. Menard’s detention, he said, relates to an “administrative misunderstanding” over the private security firm’s licensing to operate in the country. “The licensing matter has now been resolved and he’s expected to be released imminently,” he added. The daily Globe and Mail earlier cited Kabul police chief General Zaher Zaher saying Menard was being held for “gun smuggling.” Canadian government officials told AFP that “consular services are being provided to a Canadian citizen who has been detained in Afghanistan.” However it would not confirm the person’s identity nor the circumstances surrounding his detention. Menard was relieved of his command of Canadian troops responsible for Kandahar region in May 2010 due to the affair with the female master corporal. The Canadian Forces forbid intimate relationships during deployments. Canada ended its combat mission in Afghanistan a year later in 2011, closing the curtain after nine years and the deaths of 157 soldiers. Menard has managed Garda’s operations in Afghanistan since November 2011, according to the company’s website.