Kabul
Al Qaida and Taliban prisoners in Afghanistan’s main high-security prison took over a cellblock this week, in a riot over new uniforms. Prisoners had been allowed to wear their own clothes. But after seven Taliban members broke out in January, inmates were given orange jumpsuits to make escaping more difficult. Dozens of prisoners armed with clubs and knives took over a cellblock, dangling burning uniforms out the windows and chanting, “Long live Islam, Long live the prisoners, Death to Bush.” Afghan officials said negotiating with the prisoners was virtually impossible because their demands kept changing. “They are not very well organized,” said Deputy Justice Minister Muhammad Hashemzai. “Everyone is saying a different thing.”
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Donald Trump’s week in Asia: can he shift power away from China?Today's Big Question US president’s whirlwind week of diplomacy aims to bolster economic ties and de-escalate trade war with China
-
The Icelandic women’s strike 50 years onIn The Spotlight The nation is ‘still no paradise’ for women, say campaigners
-
Mall World: why are people dreaming about a shopping centre?Under The Radar Thousands of strangers are dreaming about the same thing and no one sure why
