Detained aid workers expect trial verdict next week

Eight foreign aid workers in Afghanistan charged with trying to convert Muslims to Christianity expect a verdict in their trial next week and remain in good spirits, their lawyer said today.

The two Americans, four Germans and two Australians were arrested early last month, along with 16 Afghan workers, on proselytising charges.

Their trial, which began in early September, was suspended due to United States demands for Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers to hand over suspected terror mastermind Osama bin Laden, but resumed again in late September.

Their Islamic Sharia lawyer, Atif Ali Khan of Pakistan, said today that he had handed his reply to the charges to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in Kabul last week and expects the verdict next week.

Khan told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio in Islamabad that the aid workers, who were employed by German-based Christian organisation Shelter Now International, were happy with his reply.

‘‘They have seen the reply, they are very satisfied with it and they are confident that it’s going to be a good decision in favour of them,’’ Khan said.

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.

Khan said the bombings by the US-led coalition had been stressful for them.

‘‘There has been some emotional distress because of the bombings, but otherwise they’re doing good,’’ he said. ‘‘Peter and Diana are taking it very well,’’ he added, referring to the two Australians.

‘‘Diana is playing cards most of the time. They are practising questions and they take solace from prayers and then they have each other, so they talk to each other.’’