US Military Urges Karzai Not To Release 65 Prisoners

Some of the detainees are linked to attacks on Americans

On the eve of a controversial prisoner release in Afghanistan, a spokesman for the U.S. military is warning the Afghan government and President Hamid Karzai not to go ahead with the plan—since several of the 65 detainees are tied to attacks on Americans. 

"Detainees from this group of 65 are directly linked to attacks killing or wounding 32 U.S. or coalition personnel and 23 Afghan security personnel or civilians," a spokesman for U.S. Forces Afghanistan said in a statement. 

"It remains the position of USFOR-A that violent criminals who harm Afghans and threaten the peace and security of Afghanistan should face justice in the Afghan courts, where a fair and transparent trial would determine their guilt or innocence."