KABUL, Afghanistan, Jan. 30 (UPI) -- An ex-Canadian general working for a private security firm has been detained in Afghanistan for three weeks as part of a weapons investigation, authorities say.
Former Brig. Gen. Daniel Menard, who left the Canadian military after admitting he had an extramarital affair with a subordinate while on duty in Afghanistan, was detained by Kabul police Jan. 10, the (Toronto) Globe and Mail reported Thursday.
The Afghan Interior Ministry said Menard, who works for Garda World, is accused of being in possession of 129 rifles and 148 radios without the proper licensing, the newspaper said. Gen. Zaher Zaher, Kabul's police chief, referred to the matter Wednesday as a case of "gun smuggling," the newspaper said.
Joe Gavaghan, a company spokesman in Boston, told the newspaper the situation apparently was related to Garda World's license in Afghanistan. He said Menard had not been charged with a crime and was being detained in a holding facility.
The Toronto Star reported Gavaghan said the licensing issue "was kind of a technicality" that has been resolved. "It's been cleared up and we believe that the individual is going to be released very shortly," Gavaghan told the Star. "Right now we're just trying to do everything we can to make sure there's no further complications or anything that would delay that."
The Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported the Canadian Foreign Affairs Department said it is aware of Menard's arrest and "consular services are being provided to a Canadian citizen who has been detained in Afghanistan."
Menard was sent home by the Canadian military in May 2010 and demoted after it was discovered the married father of two was having an affair with a female corporal, the CBC said.
