Afghan authorities begin releasing final 400 Taliban prisoners

KABUL, Afghanistan — Afghan authorities said Friday they had started releasing 400 Taliban prisoners, the final hurdle in launching long-delayed peace talks between the two warring sides.

In this picture taken on August 3, 2020, an inmate watches from behind a closed gate after a raid at the prison in Jalalabad. At least 29 people were killed when gunmen attacked a jail in the eastern city of Jalalabad on August 3, shattering the relative calm of the final day of a three-day ceasefire between the Taliban and Afghan forces. (Photo by NOORULLAH SHIRZADA / AFP)

A group of 80 prisoners were released on Thursday, said National Security Council spokesman Javid Faisal.

The release would “speed up efforts for direct talks and a lasting, nationwide ceasefire,” he said on Twitter.

The release of the 400 prisoners accused of serious crimes including brutal attacks that killed Afghans and foreigners will pave the way for intra-Afghan talks, expected to start within days of the release being completed.