Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Saturday, July 6th, 2024

Controversies over Released Bagram Detainees Unsolved!

Formerly the 65 inmates released from Bagram prison by Afghan government were militants and Taliban fighters who will likely return to the battlefield to kill coalition and Afghan forces, claim US military officials.

The US military earlier issued a strongly worded statement condemning the imminent release, which is stated to have included detainees directly linked to attacks that have killed or wounded 32 US or coalition personnel and 23 Afghan security personnel or civilians.

The US argues for the detainees to face trial in Afghan courts, citing strong evidence against them, from DNA linking them to roadside bombs to explosive residue on their clothing but Kabul negated the proofs stating them insufficient. Upon facts and findings of US the inmates should not have been released but tried impartially in the bid to diminish the growing tension between Afghanistan and US.

Bagram prison has turned to be 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.

Afghan government demonstrates sympathy to detainees of the prison and found some of them guiltless. Earlier Karzai issued a shocking statement whilst saying Bagram prison was a "Talib-making factory". "Bagram prison is a place where innocent people are tortured and insulted and made dangerous criminal," he said. In contrary to his statements there are numerous most wanted terrorists and insurgent affiliates of Al-Qaida and Taliban detained in this prison. Some terrorists tortured to death caught Karzai’s attention, making him issue such statements. The murderers of enormous innocent Afghans seem innocent prior to imprisonment. Truly it is Bagram prison that turned them violent, else Taliban were peace loving citizens.

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.

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. Afghan government must clarify its position upon allegation charged against it seeking pragmatic approach.