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Christian Aid Workers Appear In Afghan Court
KABUL, Sept 8 (News Agencies) - Eight foreign aid workers on trial in Afghanistan for allegedly preaching Christianity appeared in court for the first time Saturday, along with relatives and diplomats.
It was the first time the two Americans, two Australians and four Germans have been seen in public since their arrest in early August on charges which may carry a maximum penalty of death.
Heavily armed soldiers led the prisoners in a bus through the gate of the Supreme Court building and then into the courtroom where Chief Justice Mawlawi Noor Mohammad Saqib and senior Islamic scholars were waiting.
"We have never been informed of the charges against us or why we have been detained. What have we done?" German man George Taubmann asked Saqib during the hour-long session in court.
"We have had no chance to defend ourselves. We are shocked about all the allegations. I have been interrogated about things I have not done."
Taubmann also complained about the treatment of the prisoners in Taliban custody.
"Why haven't we been given access to the outside world? We haven't been allowed to get in touch with our families," he said.
Most of the defendants denied that they had been trying to convert Afghan Muslims to Christianity.
"I don't even know why I need a lawyer. I haven't done anything wrong," said Australian Peter Bunch after Saqib asked them to obtain legal advice if they were not planning to defend themselves.
One of the six women on trial complained that she could not understand an Afghan-language form she had been asked to complete.
"My future may depend on what I write on this piece of paper but I can't read it," she said, to which Saqib replied that she would have to find an interpreter.
American woman Dana Curry protested that, "we are not aware of the legal process here."
The defendants looked exhausted and walked slowly into the court under the escort of armed guards, who did not allow them to answer questions from journalists.
One of the six female defendants was wearing the head-to-toe "burqa" cloak, which is mandatory for Afghan women in public, while the others had veils over their hair only.
The chief justice, flanked by some 15 bearded scholars, told the accused the trial would be just and merciful.
"The verdict will be very fair and just. Clemency has a special place in Islam and we will be as merciful as we can," Saqib said, adding that the court could not recommend any lawyers to defend them.
"I want to assure the accused that they should not fear that because they are non-Muslims we will punish them. The proceedings will be in accordance with Shari'a law which is full of mercy."
But during a sermon at a crowded mosque here Friday, Saqib spoke against the "evil" of Christianity and missionary work carried out under the cover of humanitarian relief.
The defendants are believed to be Americans Curry and Heather Mercer, Germans Taubmann, Silke Duerrkopf, Margrit Stebner and Kati Jelinek, plus Australians Bunch and Diana Thomas.
German diplomat Helmut Landes pleaded with Saqib for regular consular access to the defendants.
"I beg you to give us consular access so that we can explain to the detainees what possible choices they can make [regarding their defense]," Landes said.
At the end of the court session the detainees were escorted back to the secret location where they are being held.
They could be facing execution by hanging under the Taliban's interpretation of Shari'a law, which considers Christianity an "abolished religion".
Officials have said the verdict eventually will be presented to reclusive Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar for a final decision.
Taliban officials say they have written confessions from several of the accused, and have displayed confiscated Afghan-language Bibles and thousands of computer disks containing Christian content.
Sixteen Afghans, colleagues of the foreigners at German-based group Shelter Now, were also arrested and are expected to face separate legal proceedings.
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