The lawyer representing eight western aid workers on trial in Afghanistan for preaching Christianity is calling on the court to show mercy.
Pakistani lawyer Atif Ali Khan told C-N-N Islamic law dictates no specific punishment in this case. Mr. Khan said therefore he thinks the judge will exercise compassion in his decision, and give the eight defendants a light sentence.
The aid workers appeared in court in Kabul on Sunday. The Taleban says the aid workers will receive a fair trial despite the threat of U-S military action against it. The trial is set to resume this coming Sunday.
Afghan authorities arrested the eight defendants in August, along with 16 Afghan colleagues. The foreigners include two Americans, two Australians and four Germans.
The mother of detained American Heather Mercer said she was told that the charges are still being translated into English so that the defendants can read them.