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Afghanistan criticizes swap for captive US soldier

WATCH: The Obama administration is feeling some heat over its decision to deal with the Taliban for captured solider

KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry has criticized the U.S. for swapping Taliban prisoners at Guantanamo Bay to secure the release of a captured soldier.

READ MORE: U.S. moved quickly on prisoner swap because soldier’s life was in danger, says Hagel

In a statement Monday, the Foreign Ministry called the swap for Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl “against the norms of international law” if it came against the five imprisoned Taliban detainees’ will. The ministry said: “No state can transfer another country’s citizen to a third country and put restriction on their freedom.”

WATCH: Upon hearing the news of Bowe Bergdahl’s release, residents in his hometown of Hailey, Idaho celebrated by holding a gathering at a local coffee shop. 

The five detainees left Guantanamo on Saturday aboard a U.S. military aircraft flying to Qatar, which served as go-between in the negotiations. They are to be banned from leaving Qatar for at least a year.

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Bergdahl was held captive for five years before his release Saturday. He is believed to have been held by the Haqqani network.

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