JALALABAD, Afghanistan — An Afghan national charged in the shooting of two U.S. National Guard members last week had been previously trained by American forces, and his actions should not reflect on the people of Afghanistan, the country's foreign minister said.

The remarks by Amir Khan Muttaqi were the first public comments on the case by Afghanistan's Taliban government. Muttaqi spoke during a meeting of community elders on Wednesday, according to a statement released by his ministry.

Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, has been charged with first-degree murder after one of the two victims, West Virginia National Guard Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, 20, died of wounds sustained in the Nov. 26 shooting. The second victim, Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, 24, was critically wounded.

Lakanwal pleaded not gui

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