U.S. Military Frees 81 Detainees Ahead of Fete
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The U.S. military freed 81 prisoners held in Afghanistan, and the country’s top judge said the government was pressing for the release of hundreds more from American custody.
The release comes ahead of the Muslim festival of Eid al Adha, which begins Thursday.
Two buses brought the 81 prisoners from the main U.S. base at Bagram to the Supreme Court in the capital, Kabul, where the chief justice warned them to stay out of trouble.
“Don’t sabotage the security or the government, and God will be pleased with you,” Fazl Hadi Shinwari told the men.
Four of those freed told reporters they had been held for between 8 1/2 months and two years. At least one complained that he had been abused.
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