VOICED Taliban prisoners face uncertain fate

Описание: (21 Nov 2001)

VOICED BY LOUISE BATES
0000 Gun on prison tower
0003 Guard with gun
0006 Prison entrance
0009 Close up gun
0014 Wide shot interior Taliban prisoners in room
0017 Arabic writing on wall, pan to prisoner on bed
0022 SOUNDBITE (Dari) prisoner
0032 SOUNDBITE (Dari) prisoner
0039 Various prisoners in room
0046 Man ringing bell
0051 Prisoners filing out
0056 Guards looking down
0100 Prison tower
0104 VISION ENDS

STORYLINE

As Afghanistan's cities change hands, the Taliban's prisoners find themselves free again - and men accused of being Taliban are now on the inside.

That's the situation in Herat, which the Taliban lost to the Northern Alliance last week.

The ancient oasis, 150 kilometres (100 miles) from the Iranian border, is one of Afghanistan's five largest cities and strategically important.

VOICE-OVER:

0002
Two weeks ago, this prison was holding opponents to the Taliban regime and those who broke its laws.

0009
Now though, it's a different story.

0012
The Northern Alliance took control of Herat last week.

0016
Most of the seventy inmates here are accused of being Taliban.

All claim they're innocent.

0022
SOUND UP

0024
This man claims he was forced to join the Taliban.

I only fought for two weeks before surrendering, he says.

0033
I did business with everyone, whether they were Taliban or not, says this trader - I don't know why I'm here.

0039
Many of these men were brought here by ordinary citizens after the arrival of the Northern Alliance.

0046
Reports of summary executions immediately after the town's liberation suggest they may have had a lucky escape.

0051
But their fate remains unclear.

0054
The way they're treated will be one of many factors crucial to establishing the long term credibility of any incoming government.

0103
VISION ENDS

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