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Kabul mercs acted outside U.S. command:

"Spokesman Richard Boucher said the U.S. government does not employ or sponsor the three, who were arrested by Afghan authorities Monday.

Afghan officials accuse the men of running a private prison in Kabul.

Correspondents said the U.S. bounty for al-Qaida fugitives has drawn many foreign vigilantes to Afghanistan.

The U.S. government has promised $25 million for anyone who facilitates the arrest of al-Qaida kingpin Osama Bin Laden.

Boucher confirmed that one of the arrested men was Jonathan Idema, who has described himself as a counter-terrorism expert and former U.S. commando."

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