The Times
Jerome Starkey in Kabul

Afghan police opened fire on protesters in Kabul yesterday during a second day of anti-American demonstrations outside parliament.

Medical staff said that three people were admitted to hospital suffering from gunshot wounds. Officers also used a water cannon to try to disperse the crowd — led by students from Kabul University.

The protesters were demanding that American troops should stand trial for allegedly burning a copy of the Koran in nearby Wardak province. US and Afghan officials deny the allegations.

“Police fired at the crowd, one bullet hit me. I was closing my shop at the time,” Sherullah, 18, said from his hospital bed. He was hit in the hip. “They [policemen] were just firing. They were firing at the people.” (Read more)