Bagram prison located in the ancient city of Bagram near Charikar in Parwan, has repeatedly been hot on national and international media for multiple reasons. There are numerous most wanted terrorists and insurgent detained. The alleged torturing of detainees led to its fame or the detention of eminent serial killers of Al-Qaida and Taliban affiliates caused its prominence. The detainees were expected to be prosecuted in accordance to due procedure and punished for their ill-deeds accordingly.
Bagram prison was a source of tension between Afghanistan and the United States. Afghan government exercised pressure whilst expressing reservations over Bagram detention center, where nearly 3,000 suspected Taliban and al-Qaida operatives were held, to be transferred to Afghan control. Subsequently the responsibilities of US-run Bagram prison was handed over to the Afghan government late in March this year, after Kabul and Washington reached a deal after Afghan government offered “private assurances” that detainees whom the United States considers to be most dangerous would not be released.
In order to examine the category of charges lodged against the prisoners, a commission was formed to review the cases of Bagram prisoners, based on a Presidential decree earlier this year. The way commission undertakes deciding the fate of Bagram inmates signify the level of their impartiality and credibility exercised.
Nevertheless, the former release of 650 inmates from Bagram prison by Afghan administration earned a loud uproar amongst Afghans and US politicians, unearthing the degree of reliability of commission. The US unwelcomed Afghan government’s decision to free dozens of detainees from Bagram prison, which includes a number of prisoners accused in attacks against the US and Afghan security forces and deems it violation of the Kabul and Washington agreement. Raising his concerns the US public official ruled 40 percent of the detainees involved in direct attacks wounding or killing 57 Afghan citizens and security members and 30 percent participated in assaults wounding or killing 60 US or coalition soldiers.
Afghan parliamentarians and civil society equally raised concerns and demanded fair and detailed prosecution of detainees, and a severe punishment for murderers of innocent people and their safe release if found guiltless. Some Meshrano Jirga (upper house) members previously said that the cases of Bagram jail inmates should be investigated. Those found guilty should be punished, they said but others insisted “innocent prisoners” be released forthwith.
Currently U.S. officials are seeking to block a move by an Afghan panel to free 88 detainees from Bargram detention center near Kabul. The official say the detainees would pose a security threat if released. Since the transfer of Bagram military prison from US to Afghan control in March, reportedly hundreds of prisoners who were caught for having somehow links to Taliban and other terror groups have been released by the penal set by the government. Spokesman for U.S. forces in Afghanistan, Col. Dave Lapan, says the Afghan panel "exceeded its mandate" in ordering the release of 650 detainees from Parwan Detention Facility earlier this week. Already, 562 of the prisoners have been freed while the 88 the United States has issues with remain behind bars.
Indeed, release of insurgents was one of main the concerns of the US authorities before and at the time of the transfer of Bargram detention center to Afghan control. The releases take place at times when the Afghan security forces and intelligence cannot track down where the prisoners go after being released.
It has been witnessed that large number of prisoners arrested on serious charges of terrorism, were set free to advance its bid for peace talk could not avert the prevailing worst security condition of the country. Even the government said to lack confidential information to whereabouts of those set free. It has been reported that most of released prisoners rejoined their insurgent fellows and are mustering stronger might to strike at Kabul government subsequent to US partial or complete draw down. This is worrisome point urging government to revise its decision related to the fate of Bagram prisoners.
The US-led forces are leaving the country by end of this year and Taliban must be mulling over multiplying their operation which would not be possible without recruiting more fighters. Now a part of their need gets fulfilled through the large number of insurgents who have been released by the Afghan authorities over the past months.
The government must explain why insurgents are being released without any proper trail? Have the releases helped in moving peace talks ahead? For the time being, it seems such releases are only a support for those whose purpose is destabilizing the country.