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Hundreds of Taliban Buy Their Freedom

Endemic Afghan bribery results in routine release of militants

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 5, 2008 12:50 PM CST
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(Newser) – Hundreds of Taliban are buying their way out of jail every year, bribing police, judges, and wardens to return to the fields and streets of Afghanistan to fight again. Despite denials from the government, American and Afghan sources—and the Taliban itself—attest to the growing trend. Newsweek reports from one of the poorest countries in the world, where the quick money is irresistible.

One Taliban officer was arrested on terrorism charges, paraded on television, and handed over to the Afghan government's shady National Directorate of Security, which allegedly tortures prisoners and receives no more cooperation from the coalition. But after 3 days, the detainee's cousin arranged a visit, and less than 2 months later he was free. The price: $1,100 in bribes.

Amrullah Saleh, the head of Afghanistan's intelligence service, the National Directorate of Security. American and Afghan sources both attest that endemic corruption is letting hundreds of Taliban go free every year.
Amrullah Saleh, the head of Afghanistan's intelligence service, the National Directorate of Security. American and Afghan sources both attest that endemic corruption is letting hundreds of Taliban go...   (Getty Images)
Afghan parliament members listen to a speech by the US ambassador. American and Afghan sources both attest that endemic corruption is letting hundreds of Taliban go free every year.
Afghan parliament members listen to a speech by the US ambassador. American and Afghan sources both attest that endemic corruption is letting hundreds of Taliban go free every year.   (Getty Images)
An Afghan police officer stands guard at a check point, in an effort to find a group of South Koreans who were taken hostage, in the city of Ghazni province, west of Kabul, Afghanistan on Friday, Aug. 3, 2007. Taliban insurgents kidnapped 23 South Koreans from a bus in southern...
An Afghan police officer stands guard at a check point, in an effort to find a group of South Koreans who were taken hostage, in the city of Ghazni province, west of Kabul, Afghanistan on Friday, Aug....   (Associated Press)
Afghan prisoner Abdul looks out from behind the bars at the Kandahar prison, December 13, 2001. Hundreds of Taliban fighters bribe their way to freedom every year.
Afghan prisoner Abdul looks out from behind the bars at the Kandahar prison, December 13, 2001. Hundreds of Taliban fighters bribe their way to freedom every year.   (KRT Photos)
An American soldier in Afghanistan. American and Afghan sources both attest that endemic corruption is letting hundreds of Taliban go free every year.
An American soldier in Afghanistan. American and Afghan sources both attest that endemic corruption is letting hundreds of Taliban go free every year.   (Getty Images (by Event) Individuals)
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Bribe to Afghan intelligence frees Taliban commander
BBC

 
Afghanistan • Taliban • bribery • corruption • National Directorate of Security

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