The head of a review board in Afghanistan says Kabul will release 88 prisoners as planned, even though the United States considers them dangerous. 

Abdul Shakor Dadras told the Reuters news agency late on January 5 that the evidence does not warrant keeping them any longer.

They are being held at Bagram air base north of Kabul.
 
President Hamid Karzai instructed Afghan intelligence officials to provide the review board with more evidence against the prisoners after the United States said there was proof of their involvement in the killing of foreign troops.

U.S senators in Afghanistan last week pressed Karzai to stop the release, warning it would irreparably damage relations.

The dispute puts further strain on relations already soured by Karzai's refusal to sign a security deal to shape the U.S military presence after most foreign troops leave this year.