Afghan President Says U.S. Violating Prison Pact

Afghan President Hamid Karzai also criticized the continued arrest of Afghans by U.S. forces.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai says U.S. forces continue to capture and hold Afghans in violation of an agreement signed between the two countries.

Karzai said in a statement on November 18 that some detainees are still held by the Americans even though Afghan judges have ruled they be released.

Karzai also criticized the continued arrest of Afghans by U.S. forces, saying such acts "are completely against the agreement that has been signed."

The two countries signed the detainee transfer accord in March.

Kabul had called the agreement to transfer Bagram prison north of the capital a victory for national sovereignty.

About 3,000 prisoners are detained at Bagram.

The handover has been slowed, however, as Washington argues that the Afghans are not ready to take custody of the detainees.

With reporting by AFP