U.S. Releases 17 Afghan Detainees

KABUL, Afghanistan — Seventeen Afghans were released Thursday from a U.S. base at the center of an investigation into the deaths of two prisoners in custody, the International Committee of the Red Cross said.

The men were freed from Bagram air base and taken south to Kabul, the capital, where Red Cross officials gave them enough money to cover their trip home. An estimated 300 prisoners remain at the base.

Several of the men said they had been picked up about four months ago and interrogated repeatedly about the activities of Taliban militants. But they were released without charge. They did not speak of any mistreatment.

Noor Wali Khan, a 37-year-old waiting at a Kabul bus station, said he was well fed at Bagram and showed reporters a copy of the Koran presented to him on his release.

“I wasn’t beaten or threatened in the jail; the atmosphere was OK,” he said. “We had two showers a week, but unfortunately the water was cold. That was a bit uncomfortable for us.”

Up to 28 U.S. soldiers face possible criminal charges in connection with the deaths of two prisoners at Bagram in December 2002, the Army announced last week.

The Army has said both victims suffered “blunt force injuries” and it ruled both deaths homicides.

The U.S. says it has made changes in jail procedures.