Afghanistan released 65 suspected Taliban militant detainees on Thursday, despite pleas from the U.S. that these men should remain behind bars.
The government had decided that of 88 men held for being involved with the Taliban, most of them should be freed as they were innocent of the charges levied against them.
The U.S. Embassy released a strongly worded statement on its disapproval for releasing the men, noting that the "Afghan government bears responsibility for the results of its decision," reports The Washington Post.
The statement also called on Afghanistan to keep an eye on the newly-released detainees to make sure they "do not commit new acts of violence and terror."
Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai said that the U.S. shouldn't worry about the men being released, according to Reuters. The situation was "of no concern" to the U.S.
During a press conference, Karzai spoke about how he hopes "the U.S. will stop harassing Afghanistan's procedures and judicial authority."
The release of the suspected Taliban militants could further strain the diplomatic ties between the two countries, especially as the country has ignored the U.S.' request that the men be taken to court.
image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
