Afghanistan: Hundreds of ‘High Value’ Detainees Freed To ‘Accelerate’ Peace Process

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TOLOnews has gained access to some leaked documents which confirm that on the orders of President Karzai and the High Peace Council (HPC) over 520 insurgents were released from various prisons across the country between 2011 and 2012. The documents also revealed that among the released insurgents there were suicide bombers and masterminds behind several terror attacks. These masterminds were convicted of carrying out deadly terror attacks across the country. However, the Interior Ministry denied the reports and said that they did not receive any information about the decision taken by the President. Experts feel that by releasing the insurgents, the government wants to win the confidence of the Taliban. The leaked documents mentioned that at least 135 suicide bombers who were arrested by the Security Forces were among those released from the prisons. 116 insurgents who were convicted of killing police personnel and Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers were also let loose. The revelation did not end here, 86 dangerous terror plotters and masterminds of several terror attacks were also let loose. "To strengthen and accelerate the peace process, the President had issued "Order No 33" and released the prisoners convicted of carrying out several terror attacks across the country," internal and external security and the decision was taken to strengthen peace process," said Amir Muhammad Jamshed, the chief of the Afghan Prison and Detention Centres. Several analysts strongly criticised the move and said that there is no guarantee that the released prisoners will not join any terror outfit. According to them, this move will do no good and in fact, prolong the ongoing crisis in the country. "If the insurgents are not prosecuted and kept in the prison, this will worsen the security situation of the country," said an analyst. Unfortunately, it was found that in most cases, the released prisoners rejoined the Taliban and continued their armed confrontations with the Afghan Security Forces and foreign forces. "A Taliban detainee known as Mullah Karim rejoined the group and became its Governor for the Balkh region, just days after he was released from jail. He carried out several terror attacks after his release," said Abdurrazaq Qaderi, security chief of the Balkh province. TOLOnews reporter found that 520 militants were released in 2011 and 2012 and they were not among those that were freed during the month of Ramadan this year (2013). The President's order to release the dangerous militants was strongly criticised and the US had warned that they will rejoin the Taliban and continue their terror attacks. It was because of the same concern that the US had tried to avoid transferring the control of Bagram prison to the Afghan Security Forces. TOLOnews broke the news after 80 prisoners were released from a prison in southern Helmand. Earlier on Thursday, Masood Ahmad Bakhtor, the Deputy Governor of Helmand announced that the prisoners were released from the prison on the basis of "Order No 33" of the President. Mr. Bakhtor also mentioned that the jail terms of 24 other prisoners were canceled as per the Presidential Decree. Local officials in the southern province of Helmand confirmed that some prisoners were released from the Helmand prison on the orders of the President. Meanwhile, the Afghan government assured that it is committed to provide employment opportunities to the released prisoners so that they do not start their terror activities again. "The released prisoners will be given 5,000 AFN on monthly basis and the government is also committed to provide vocational training for six months to the inmates released from the jails," said Mr. Bakhtor. With so many dangerous terrorists on the loose, only time will tell whether it will help in accelerating the stalled peace process or worsen the security situation of the country.