KABUL (Islamweb & News Agencies) - The chief justice of Afghanistan's ruling Taliban said Tuesday the trial of eight foreign aid workers accused of promoting Christianity had begun but Western diplomats in Kabul said they remained in the dark. (Read photo caption below)
``The trial proceedings started from today, but we can't say how long it would take as it depends on the pace of the gathering of reliable evidence and the reasons for a final verdict,'' Chief Justice Noor Mohammad Saqib told reporters.
The trial process under the Taliban Islamic movement remained unclear.
Saqib, said Muslim clerics and judges would consider evidence and call the accused for questioning if required.
``The case has been referred to the Supreme Court. We will review the previous interrogation (files) and if needs be will want fresh questioning too... We want this issue to be resolved fairly,'' he said.
``(The accused) can express themselves and defend themselves either through a barrister or by themselves,'' he added.
Twenty-four staff from the German-based Christian relief agency Shelter Now International (SNI) -- four Germans, two Australians, two Americans and 16 Afghans -- were arrested more than four weeks ago on charges that could carry the death penalty.
PHOTO CAPTION:
A man walks towards the Supreme Court building in the Afghan capital of Kabul on September 4, 2001. The Afghan Supreme Court began trial proceedings for eight foreign aid workers who have been jailed by the Taliban since last month on charges of preaching Christianity among local Muslims. (Sayed Salahuddin/Reuters)