Trial of aid workers continues

The trial in the Afghan capital, Kabul, of eight foreign aid workers accused of preaching Christianity is continuing despite the current situation, a German embassy official confirmed to IRIN on Tuesday.

"We've spoken to Taliban officials at the embassy in Islamabad, and they have told us that the aid workers are still detained in a jail in Kabul and that the Supreme Court is continuing with the trial," Helmut Landes, a German diplomat in Islamabad, said. In response to concerns over the aid workers' health, Landes said: "We've been told that they are being treated well."

The eight, comprising two Americans, two Australians and four Germans, all from the German-based Shelter Now International relief agency, were arrested along with 16 Afghan nationals in early August. The Taliban religious police said they caught two women - an American and an Australian - showing Christian material to an Afghan family on a computer in their home in Kabul.

The trial has been taking place behind closed doors. Diplomats were able to meet the aid workers, but were forced to leave last week following the terrorist attacks on the US on 11 September. Landes said that according to Taliban officials the aid workers would not be released until the trial was over, regardless of possible retaliation by the US.

"We have asked for assurances regarding the aid workers' personal safety. We have had verbal assurances, but nothing in writing," Landes said. Under the Islamic Shari'ah law in place in Afghanistan, preaching Christianity is punishable by death.