13 March 2013
Transfer of Bagram Prison to Afghan Forces delayed
The United States (US) has delayed the transfer of control over the Bagram Prison in Afghanistan to Afghan control, in view of the dispute of the continuing involvement of the US in matters of detention policy.
The New York Times reports that the US is concerned about dangerous insurgents being freed, and that they ‘want to keep a veto power over whom the Afghans release; they want promises that the Afghans will not release certain dangerous prisoners, whom the American military calls Enduring Security Threats, or E.S.T.’s, even if they cannot be prosecuted in court for specific offenses; and they want promises that the United States will retain access to Afghan-run cellblocks to ensure that detainees are not being abused.’
Source: The New York Times | U.S. Again Delays Transfer of Bagram Prison to Afghan Forces