Afghanistan slams UK prison in Helmand

British military vehicles are parked in a compound in Camp Bastion, Afghanistan. (file photo)

The Afghan government has denounced the British-run prison in Helmand Province, saying the detention of Afghans by British forces is unacceptable, Press TV reports.

Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Sunday that holding Afghans at the UK-run prison in Camp Bastion in southern province of Helmand was unacceptable.

The statement comes as UK troops are holding up to 90 Afghan detainees suspected of killing British soldiers at the military prison.

However, the detaineesâ„¢ lawyers said they have been held in custody without charge for up to 14 months, which amounts to unlawful detention and internment.

Lawyers say the case is against international law and the British constitution.

British forces in Afghanistan are normally allowed to detain suspects for four days.

General Zahir Azimi, a spokesman for the Afghan Defense Ministry, also criticized the detentions as Å“illegal” and “inhuman.”

“The prisoners must be handed over to the Afghan authorities,” he said. “After their handover to us, they will be dealt with according to our judicial laws, and the agreements reached with the international community.”

British forces have been based in Helmand province since the US-led war in Afghanistan began in 2001. Some 9,000 British troops are currently stationed in the war-ravaged country.

JR/PR

This article originally appeared on: Press TV