Taliban condemns deaths

The Taliban has condemned the violence that killed 12 people during an Afghan protest against NATO that turned into a riot.

The Taliban has condemned the violence that killed 12 people during an Afghan protest against NATO that turned into a riot.

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A statement issued Thursday by the Taliban describes the deaths in the northern city of Taloqan as a "crime against humanity."

An estimated 1,500 demonstrators in Taloqan filled the streets early Wednesday to protest a nighttime NATO raid that resulted in four deaths. NATO says the dead were insurgents but Afghan officials say they were civilians.

The protest later became a riot. The German military said two of its soldiers were wounded by rioters who threw hand grenades and Molotov cocktails. Afghan police opened fire on the protesters, though the Taliban blamed the German military for the shooting.