General Walter Natynczyk reveals the transfer of detainees has been stopped more than once. Until now it has only been disclosed that transfers stopped briefly in the fall of 2007.

Canadian officials have halted the transfer of prisoners to Afghanistan’s intelligence service “more than one time,” because of the possibility of torture, Canada’s chief of defence staff said Sunday.

Gen. Walter Natynczyk, speaking at the end of the three-day Halifax International Security Forum, declined to offer details, saying additional information is expected as more witnesses speak before a special House of Commons committee.

“We indeed did stop the transfer more than one time,” he said. “At the same time, I don’t want to throw out more information. There’s a process that’s undergoing and I know that the witnesses will be called forward for that process and give their testimony.”