The Scotsman
By Jerome Starkey in Kabul

IN A move described as a “breakthrough”, Red Cross officials have finally gained admission to a jail on the Taleban side of the conflict in Afghanistan.

Staff from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) visited three Afghan policemen held by the Taleban in the north-west of the country last month, in the first independent visit to an insurgent jail since their regime was swept from power more than eight years ago.

Reto Stocker, the head of delegation, said: “We welcome this breakthrough. We plan to conduct and repeat visits in other regions … with the aim of ensuring that everyone detained in relation to the armed conflict is treated humanely.” (Read more)