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Afghan Trial of Aid Workers Begins - 2001-09-04


Afghanistan's Taleban chief justice says the trial of eight Western aid workers accused of preaching Christianity has begun.

Justice Noor Mohammad Saqib told reporters in Kabul court proceedings started Tuesday.

He said the proceedings will be closed and are expected to last several days. Earlier, Taleban authorities said the trial would be open to the public.

It was not immediately clear whether the accused - two Americans, two Australians and four Germans - were present in court.

The eight defendants, along with 16 Afghan nationals - all working for the German-based charitable organization Shelter Now - were arrested early last month. The Afghan staff members are to be tried separately. Under Taleban law, foreigners convicted of proselytizing could face jail terms and expulsion. For Afghan nationals, the penalty could be death.

Some information for this report provided by Reuters and AP.

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