"Low-level combatants" released from Bagram

The US released 53 "low-level combatants" who were deemed as no longer a risk by the US military. The wire reports do not adequately question the US version of the detainees' alleged guilt for "hostile acts" against the US-led coalition, ignoring the fact that none of them were ever heard in a court, and none were found guilty of any crime. It seems the wire services are concerned with the "presumption of innocence" only as it applies to Westerners. Not surprisingly, the US did not apologize to these detainees.

Sibghatullah Mujaddedi, head of Afghanistan's peace and reconciliation commission, told the released prisoners that although some of them may be innocent, they shouldn't complain, but instead be thankful to be free.

The release comes amid allegations that U.S. military personnel at Bagram and at other detention facilities have abused prisoners. The U.S. military has said it would not tolerate any maltreatment.

Four of those who were released and spoke to The Associated Press said they were not abused while in detention.

"No one has beaten me during the last eight months and I haven't heard of anyone else being beaten," said Mohammed Anwar Hanifi, 38, who worked as a government official in eastern Paktika province before being arrested last October. "I was interrogated a lot, but they found no proof I was guilty. It is why they released me."

It was not immediately clear how many Afghans are still in U.S. military detention. A month ago, 85 other prisoners were released.

There was no apology for the 53, but officials handed each of them 10,000 Afghanis (US$234; euro182), and a new turban as well as a letter from the U.S. military confirming their release.