Australian special forces troops detained suspected Taliban militants in "dog pens" in actions which have prompted a protest from the Afghan ambassador.
Australian Muslim groups have also expressed outrage that four suspected insurgents were held for 24 hours after being arrested by special forces soldiers in Afghanistan on April 29.
An army inquiry last week rejected claims that the raid on suspected Taliban members, which resulted in allegations of mistreatment, was carried out in response to the fatal shooting two days earlier of Sydney commando Lance Corporal Jason Marks.
Defence officials have confirmed to the Australian newspaper that Afghan prisoners were held in the dog pens in Afghanistan.
"Yes, however this holding area provided the best secure, safe and isolated short-term accommodation until the following day," a Defence spokesman told the newspaper.
However, Islamic decrees warn Muslims against contact with dogs which are regarded as unclean.
Afghan ambassador Amanullah Jayhoon has strongly criticised the use of dog pens for human detention and warned the incident could provide valuable propaganda for the Taliban.
Australia's peak Muslim body the Islamic High Council has expressed alarm at the practice.
"This is of concern to us whether they are Muslim or other people being confined to other accommodation designed for dogs," said Council spokesman Mohamed Mehio.
"This is a matter of human rights." Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon denied any wrongdoing by the diggers.
"The detainees were held for 24 hours at this transit facility, which was the time required to arrange appropriate transport to move them to a purpose-built detention facility at Tarin Kowt," he said.
