Afghanistan to free 37 prisoners soon despite US protests

KABUL, Jan 27, (AFP): Afghanistan said Monday it expects to release within two weeks a first batch of alleged Taliban prisoners whom the US says are responsible for dozens of NATO and Afghan deaths.

Kabul announced on January 9 that a total of 72 detainees held at Bagram jail near Kabul would be freed due to lack of evidence, and an official said Monday that 37 were to be released initially.

The US military force in Afghanistan condemned the news of the releases, saying the prisoners were "dangerous insurgents" who had "Afghan blood on their hands".