KABUL (AFP) - An Afghan court sentenced three Americans to between eight and 10 years in prison for illegally running a private jail and torturing suspects in a "private war on terror".

Jonathan Idema and Brent Bennett recieved 10-year terms while co-defendent Edward Carabello was handed an eight-year term by the special tribunal in Kabul.

They were accused of kidnapping, jailing and torturing at least eight Afghans as part of a "private war on terror".