A man arrested twice in connection with the 2006 bombing that killed a Canadian diplomat in Afghanistan says he's innocent and blames police for his detention.

Pir Mohammed has been arrested and released in the past.
CBC

Pir Mohammed, who was arrested in connection with the death of Canadian Glyn Berry, gave an exclusive interview to Susan Ormiston of CBC News from a detention centre in Kabul.

Berry, 59, was killed in January 2006 during a suicide vehicle bombing in Kandahar. Three Canadian soldiers were wounded in the attack.

The minivan's last registered owner was Mohammed, who said he sold it before the bombing. Mohammed said through a translator that he has no papers to prove the sale, but insists he is innocent.

Mohammed was first arrested one year ago after police said they found a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, a Kalashnikov rifle and a picture of a Taliban leader in his home.

He was freed after two days because influential tribal elders convinced police and Kandahar's governor to let him go.

Mohammed said it isn't unusual for Afghans to have weapons in their homes to protect their families and that the picture was in an album of photos of famous people.

Afghan police Capt. Sher Ali Farhad said he was surprised Mohammed was released without being properly investigated.

British-born Canadian diplomat Glyn Berry was killed in January 2006.
(DND/ Canadian Press)

Mohammed was arrested again in December 2006 at a Kandahar City checkpoint for driving a car listed by Afghan intelligence as a potential bomb threat.

Mohammed blames Afghan police and Canadian influences for his detention, saying any evidence against him won't stick.

Influential local warlord Mullah Naquib has also questioned the arrest and the authority of the police, saying tribal elders are much stronger than Afghan authorities and will intervene.