Karzai Extends Deadline For Bagram Prison Handover

There have been complaints about the treatment of prisoners at Bagram Prison

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has extended until March 9 a deadline for the transfer of full control of Bagram Prison to Afghan authorities.

An earlier deadline for the U.S.-led international coalition to hand over the prison expired on February 5.

A statement from the presidential office on February 9 cited "noncooperation by the American side" and said Kabul was suspending "all legal and judicial operations" at the prison.

A later statement issued by Karzai's office did not include the statements about the U.S.

Karzai's demand that the coalition cede control came after an Afghan commission reported complaints of strip searches and inmates held in solitary confinement.

With agency reports