Afghanistan releases 1,500 Taliban prisoners

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani today signed a decree allowing the release of some Taliban prisoners from Afghan prisons. This was confirmed today by a spokesperson for the president. It concerns a total of around 1,500 detainees, reports Reuters.

The decree comes after negotiations between the Taliban and the Afghan government, says spokesman Sediq Sediqi, who says more details will follow tomorrow.

Reuters news agency reports that the released Taliban fighters will have to sign a document in which they promise not to return to the front.

Earlier, sources reported that about 1,000 Taliban members would be released this week in preparation for direct peace talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban. However, the Taliban want a total of 5000 members to be allowed to leave prison.

Source
Reuters
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