Aid workers go to trial in Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan -- A lawyer presented defense arguments Saturday for eight imprisoned international aid workers charged with preaching Christianity and said he was optimistic the case would end with their release.

None of the accused -- four Germans, two Americans and two Australians -- appeared for the hearing before an Islamic court. Pakistani defense lawyer Atif Ali Khan said he met with all eight, however.

"They are all well and in good health," Khan said. He described the aid workers as happy with his plan for their defense.

The eight are charged with trying to convert Muslims to Christianity, a serious crime under the Taliban's strict Islamic rule. The eight are employees of the German-based Christian organization Shelter Now International.

Khan submitted documents and defense arguments in writing Saturday, and the hearing was to resume Sunday.

"I am optimistic about their release, because we have argued their case well," Khan said. He gave no details of the defense's arguments.

The Taliban's chief justice, Noor Mohammed Saqib, has insisted the case against the aid workers would not be linked to the crisis with the United States.

Saqib has refused to discuss possible punishment should they be convicted. For Afghans, the mandatory punishment for preaching Christianity is death.

The trial opened a month ago, but was delayed following the attacks in the United States.

It resumed this month after Khan saw his clients for the first time. The Taliban's Supreme Court had given him up to two weeks to prepare his defense.