Foreign aid workers' trial to resume in Kabul

The trial of eight foreign aid workers in Afghanistan charged with preaching Christianity is expected to resume on Saturday.

The trial began last month but was suspended following the terrorist attacks in the US.

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs says they are in a good condition.

Spokeswoman Julie McDonald said: "Our information is that the detainees' Pakistani legal counsel who is in Islamabad is scheduled to travel to Kabul on Friday."

The Chief of Protocol at the Taliban Foreign Ministry in Kabul, Abdur Afghani, says ministry officials visited the detained aid workers - two Americans, four Germans and two Australians - on Tuesday.

Last week a delegation of Pakistani officials visiting Kabul to urge the Taliban to hand over bin Laden also met with the aid workers and also reported them to be in good health. It is not clear where they are being held.

The foreign aid workers are employed by German-based Shelter Now International, a Christian aid organisation.

They were arrested early last month, along with 16 Afghan workers, on proselytising charges.

The detained workers are Germans George Taubmann, Margrit Stebnar, Kati Jelinek and Silke Duerrkopf; Australians Peter Bunch and Diana Thomas; and Americans Heather Mercer and Dayna Curry.