Karzai announces key prison transfer

Afghan President Hamid Karzai gestures as he addresses the Afghan Parliament in Kabul, Afghanistan, Wednesday. — AP

KABUL — Afghan President Hamid Karzai said Wednesday the final handover of a US-run prison to local control would take place within days, signallng a breakthrough in a long-running dispute with Washington.
?Karzai last year had accused the United States of breaching an agreement to transfer more than 3,000 detainees from Bagram prison to Afghan officials in a sensitive issue for Afghan sovereignty.
?Afghanistan made control over the prison a condition for signing a long-term agreement covering relations with the United States after the pullout of foreign combat troops in 2014.
?But implementation of the transfer has been beset by disagreements.
?"Our efforts for the transfer of the US-run prison, years-long efforts, have eventually paid off and next week the transfer will at last take place," Karzai told the opening of a new parliamentary session in Kabul.
?"This transfer of prison will take place on Saturday," he added.
?"We understand that there are some innocent people in these jails, I will order their release, no matter if there is criticism.
?"Those who have been involved in killing people or setting off bombs will serve their punishment," he said.
?US officials have often suggested some released detainees return to the battlefield, and there are fears that the government is acting to kick-start peace moves with the Taliban before Afghan forces take over full responsibility for security.
?Human rights campaigners have regularly criticized Bagram prison, 50 kilometers (30 miles) north of Kabul. They say it fails to comply with international norms because some inmates are detained without trial or knowledge of the charges against them. — AFP