Afghan govt ‘releases 100 Taliban detainees’ in Kabul: Source

KABUL (TOLO News): At least 100 Taliban detainees were released on Saturday night from Pul-e-Charkhi Prison in Kabul, a source said.

Based on a presidential decree, at least 100 Taliban prisoners were expected to be released daily in accordance with the US-Taliban agreement signed in late February that called for a total release of 5,000 prisoners; however, nearly two months after the decree, less that 1,000 prisoners have been released. The government says the delays are due to “complications” in the process.

Prior to Saturday’s reported release, the office of the National Security Council said that based on a presidential decree, more than 550 Taliban prisoners have been released and at least 1,000 more will also be freed.

The Taliban on Thursday said they released 52 prisoners, bringing their total of freed people to 112. The US-Taliban agreement called for 1,000 Afghan security forces held by the Taliban to be released, but there are reports that not all of those released belonged to the security forces.