From: EurasiaDigest (digest@eurasianet.org)
Date: Tue Feb 28 2006 - 10:08:37 EST
SIEGE AT KABUL'S LARGEST PRISON CONTINUES
The situation is calming in a siege at the Pol-e Charkhi Prison on the outskirts of the Afghan capital following riots on 26 February, RFE/RL's Afghan Service reported. At least four people were killed and many injured, international news agencies reported (see "RFE/RL Newsline," 27 February 2006). Responding to a prisoners' demand, the National Assembly's Council of Elders speaker Sebghatullah Mojaddedi negotiated with the prisoners to allow the wounded and dead to be evacuated from the prison. "I have held detailed talks with the prisoners. Their demands are reasonable. For example, they have complaints against prosecutors, judges, and the prison officials and about being jailed for no reason," Mojaddedi said after visiting the prisoners, Peshawar-based Afghan Islamic Press reported on 27 February. But Mojaddedi described some of the prisoners' demands as "inappropriate," without providing details. According to Mojaddedi, the prisoners have ended their hunger strike and "will soon end their revolt." Among
the four bodies handed over to officials were two foreigners, from Pakistan and Tajikistan. Food and water was given to the prisoners. In addition to his speaker position, Mojaddedi also serves as the chairman of the Commission for National Reconciliation, which is trying to end the neo-Taliban insurgency by inviting militants to make peace with the Afghan government. The riot in Pol-e Charkhi was reportedly initiated by neo-Taliban and Al-Qaeda prisoners. AT
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