U.S. forces release 204 Iraqi detainees

BAGHDAD, Jan. 20 (UPI) -- The Iraqi government Sunday said more than 200 detainees were released from U.S-run prisons in Iraq last week.

Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi said in a statement that the process for prisoner pardons began last year, during Ramadan, the Kuwait News Agency, KUNA, reported.

About 24,000 Iraqis are currently being detained in two U.S.-led Multi-National Forces' prisons in Baghdad and the southern city of Basra, KUNA reported.