Afghan Taleban frees 450 opposition fighters
12:59 p.m. Dec 07, 1999 Eastern

ISLAMABAD, Dec 7 (Reuters) - Afghanistan's ruling Taleban movement on Tuesday freed 450 opposition fighters held in prison after being captured in battles, the Taleban Voice of Shariat radio said.

The broadcast, monitored in Islamabad, said the release was ordered by Taleban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar as a humanitarian gesture in honour of the Moslem fasting month of Ramadan, which starts on Thursday if the new moon appears on Wednesday.

``You are free from today and can live in freedom like other citizens,'' the radio quoted Council of Ministers' deputy head Mullah Hassan as telling the prisoners after their release from Pul-i-Charkhi prison outside the Afghan capital Kabul.

It said Hassan advised the freed men not to side in future with opposition forces fighting the Taleban, which controls about 90 percent of Afghanistan.