Afghan officials say 65 accused militants at a former U.S. prison have been freed despite U.S. protests.
Prison spokesman Major Nimatullah Khaki told AP that all 65 were freed early on February 13.
The United States has called the men "dangerous" fighters who will likely return to the battlefield to kill coalition and Afghan forces.
President Hamid Karzai ordered their release several weeks ago from the Parwan Detention Facility, triggering an angry reaction from the United States and NATO.
The U.S. Embassy in Kabul, in a statement on February 13, called the decision "deeply regrettable." It said those released include "individuals who are responsible for, or contributed to, the deaths of Afghan security force personnel, Afghan civilians, and American and other coalition personnel."
The statement said the Afghan government bears responsibility for the results of its decision.
Karzai cited a lack of evidence in the cases.
Karzai's decision has further strained relations between Washington and Kabul as international troops get set to leave the country by the end of the year.
Prison spokesman Major Nimatullah Khaki told AP that all 65 were freed early on February 13.
The United States has called the men "dangerous" fighters who will likely return to the battlefield to kill coalition and Afghan forces.
President Hamid Karzai ordered their release several weeks ago from the Parwan Detention Facility, triggering an angry reaction from the United States and NATO.
The U.S. Embassy in Kabul, in a statement on February 13, called the decision "deeply regrettable." It said those released include "individuals who are responsible for, or contributed to, the deaths of Afghan security force personnel, Afghan civilians, and American and other coalition personnel."
The statement said the Afghan government bears responsibility for the results of its decision.
Karzai cited a lack of evidence in the cases.
Karzai's decision has further strained relations between Washington and Kabul as international troops get set to leave the country by the end of the year.