Foreign workers plead not guilty in Afghanistan

Eight foreign aid workers appeared today before the Taliban’s Supreme Court, charged with preaching Christianity in Afghanistan.

The aid workers – two Americans, four Germans and two Australians – were arrested a month ago and their Christian organisation, Shelter Now International, was shut down.

They pleaded not guilty.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Noor Mohammed Saqib has refused to say what punishment could be imposed against the workers.

16 Afghan employees were arrested and are to be tried separately.

The Taliban punishment for an Afghan Muslim who either converts or teaches another religion is death.

The workers have been granted the right to a lawyer, either Muslim or foreign.

Proceedings were held in the office of the Chief Justice, the walls adorned with verses from the Muslim bible, the Quran, two swords and a leather strap used for public beatings.

The accused were allowed to have members of their families present.

However, the US Embassy has complained that they have not been given enough access to the foreign workers.

It is not clear how long the trail will last.

The women among the group of eight were adorned in giant shawls according to Islamic law.

On Friday, Saqib warned hundreds of the faithful on the Muslim Sabbath to beware of foreigners, saying they were using charity to convert Muslims to Christianity.

One of the German defendants, George Taubmann, said: ”It is simply not true. We have not converted anybody. We have not had a chance to defend ourselves.”