KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The Afghan government has begun the process of releasing three dozen prisoners despite U.S. protests that they are highly dangerous, officials said Monday, the latest sign of deteriorating relations between the two countries ahead of the year-end withdrawal of most international combat troops.

The move to release the prisoners prompted an angry denunciation from the U.S. military, which said the 37 prisoners slated for release are “dangerous insurgents who have Afghan blood on their hands” with strong evidence against them to merit further prosecution or investigation — from DNA linking them to roadside bombs to explosives residue on their clothing.

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