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Statement by Senators McCain and Graham on Reported Afghanistan Prisoner Release

Press Release

Date: Jan. 9, 2014
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Foreign Affairs Criminal Justice

U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) today released the following statement on the government of Afghanistan's reported decision to release of 72 prisoners that the American government believes can be brought to trial in Afghan courts or further investigated for criminal activity:

"We are concerned by reports that the Afghan government has decided to release 72 prisoners that the U.S. government believes can be brought to trial in Afghan courts or further investigated for criminal activity. All we are asking is to follow the Afghan rule of law and not allow extrajudicial releases. We made it clear to President Karzai last week in Kabul that the release of these detainees in this way would undermine the rule of law in Afghanistan and have a negative impact on our bilateral relationship in the Congress. We are in contact with our military and civilian leaders in Afghanistan and will determine what course of action is appropriate once we have received additional information."


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