Bagram jail inmates to be freed

 KABUL): President Hamid Karzai on Wednesday said the Bagram Jail would be handed over to Afghan forces next week, when all innocent inmates would be freed.

Karzai told a joint sitting of Wolesi Jirga US forces had promised handing over the jail to Afghan forces, but they failed to meet their commitment.

“If US officials keep their promise this time, the prison’s control will be transferred to Afghan security personnel,” he said, adding they would issue orders for release of the people being held without charge.

“We know many innocent people are being held there. We would free them, despite criticism,” the president reiterated, pledging to punish those involved in murder, explosions and suicide attacks in Afghanistan.

President Hamid Karzai demanded all detainees be transferred to Afghan authorities out of respect for the country’s sovereignty. The transfer of prisoners dominated last talks between Karzai and President Barack Obama in Washington in early January.

myn/mud

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