Bagram prison in Afghanistan to release 37 prisoners

The Afghanistan government announced the planned release of 37 prisoners at Bagram prison deemed dangerous by U.S. forces. Under a decree from Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, the Afghan Review Board determined 88 inmates at the prison should be released, with 37 being let out in the first round, Khaama Press reported Monday. U.S. forces in Afghanistan condemned the move. "U.S. Forces-Afghanistan has learned that under direction of the Afghan government, the Afghan Review Board, led by Abdul Shakoor Dadras, has ordered the release of the first 37 of 88 dangerous individuals under dispute who are legitimate threats to security and for whom there is strong evidence or investigative leads supporting prosecution or further investigation," a statement read. "The disputed cases contain strong evidence of violations of Afghan law or strong investigative leads requiring review by the Saranwal for prosecution or further investigation by the National Directorate of Security," the statement said. Seventeen of the 37 prisoners had links to the production of improvised explosive devices, U.S. forces said.