Afghan government protests after US releases five Taliban prisoners in exchange for captured US soldier

The Afghan government argued that the release and transfer of high-ranking Taliban militants from Guantanamo Bay jail violated international law.

12:31 02 June 2014

America's move to free five high-ranking Taliban militants in exchange for a US soldier has stoked anger in Afghanistan. 

 

The Afghan government protested saying that the deal to release and transfer the Taliban militants from Guantanamo Bay jail violates international law.  Afghan Foreign Affairs Ministry released official statement saying: "No government can transfer citizens of a country to a third country as prisoners.” 

 

As part of the deal, Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, the only known U.S. prisoner of war in Afghanistan, who was held captive for five years, was transferred to Germany on Sunday. 

 

All five prisoners are classed by the Pentagon as “high-risk” and “likely to pose a threat.” It was also confirmed that they held senior positions in the Taliban regime before it was toppled by a US led coalition in 2001. 

 

Back in the US, some parties including Senator John McCain said that the news was “disturbing.” The one-time presidential nominee said: “These are the highest high-risk people. Others that we have released have gone back into the fight. That's been documented. So it's disturbing to me that the Taliban are the ones that named the people to be released."