The attorney for the U.S. soldier accused of killing 17 Afghan civilians says the U.S. government is "hiding evidence" from the defense team.  

John Henry Browne told The Associated Press on Friday that members of the defense team in Afghanistan were told they would have access to witnesses at a hospital, but later discovered the people had been released.

He also says the U.S. government has not turned over files to the lawyers defending Army Staff Sgt. Robert Bales.    

The defense team says the prosecution is withholding information "while potential witnesses scatter."    

An Army spokesman did not immediately return a call seeking comment on Browne's allegations.    

Bales has been charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder and is being held at a U.S. military prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.