US military: Afghan prisoners still a threat

The U.S. military expressed alarm at a recommendation by an Afghanistan review board that calls for the release of 88 prisoners held at the Bagram Airfield in the country.

According to reports, U.S. officials said the prisoners continue to pose “legitimate threats” and that two-thirds of them had participated in attacks on forces and civilians in the country.

{mosads}”The Afghan Review Board … has exceeded its mandate and ordered the release of a number of dangerous individuals who are legitimate threats and for whom there is strong evidence supporting prosecution or further investigation,” said David Lapan, a spokesman for U.S. forces in the country. “Their cases should be addressed by the formal Afghan justice system.”

Afghan forces took over the detention facility earlier this year and were tasked with reviewing whether the prisoners continued to pose a threat.

According to reports, more than 550 prisoners have already been released, but U.S. officials expressed concern over the other 88 recommended for release.

U.S. and NATO forces are set to hand off security control to Afghanistan in late 2014, but have failed to come to a security agreement with President Hamid Karzai.

The U.S. has been trying to secure a security agreement with the country that would leave as many as 10,000 troops in the country in a training capacity after the 2014 deadline.

The Defense Department had pressed for an agreement with NATO and Afghanistan. Tribal leaders have signed onto a deal, but Karzai has so far refused.