KABUL (Reuters) - Eight foreign aid workers on trial for promoting Christianity in Islamic Afghanistan appeared for the first time on Saturday in the ruling Taliban's Supreme Court, saying they were innocent of proselytising.The hearing, now in its fourth day, was presided over by Chief Justice Noor Mohammad Saqib and 18 judges.(Read photo caption below)
``During the investigation we were accused of many things but that was not true,'' Georg Taubmann, Afghanistan director for German-based Christian relief agency Shelter Now International (SNI), told the court.
``We have never converted anybody. We are shocked with the accusations,'' he added.
Saturday marked the first time any of the detained foreigners -- four Germans, two Australians and two Americans -- had been seen or spoken in public since their arrest five weeks ago. Six are women and two men.
Twenty-four SNI staff -- the eight foreigners and 16 Afghans -- were held on charges that could carry the death penalty.
The detainees, who appeared healthy, have been identified as Taubmann, Katrin Jelinek, Margrit Stebner and Silke Durrkopf, who are all German; Australians Peter Bunch and Diana Thomas; plus Americans Dayna Curry and Heather Mercer.
Islamabad-based diplomats from Germany, Australia and the United States, plus three relatives of the detainees and international media were allowed to attend the trial on Saturday.
The detainees arrived at court in a van accompanied by a pick-up truck carrying armed guards from the Taliban's ministry for the promotion of virtue and prevention of vice, or religious police.
However, security was less tight when they were taken away again a couple of hours later.
FAIR TRIAL
Chief Justice Saqib reassured the accused that the trial would be fair and they were entitled to hire lawyers or defend themselves, as they wished.
``We once again want to assure the detainees that the proceedings will be strictly in accordance with justice...and on the basis of Islamic Sharia (law),'' said Saqib, who was sitting with two swords hanging on the wall behind him.
``We also assure the accused that they should not fear that because we are Muslims so they will be punished,'' he added.
The small courtroom was hot and stuffy as around 70 people -- judges, Taliban guards, diplomats, relatives and the accused -- crowded in.But the atmosphere was relaxed with detainees and diplomats free to speak as and when they wished, with all comments translated by an official Taliban interpreter.
The foreign women each covered themselves in long shawls in accordance with the Taliban's strict dress code, while the two men wore traditional long shirts over loose baggy trousers.
The diplomats requested further consular access to their nationals, while some detainees said they were unsure what the accusations were. Saqib replied that was why the court hearing had been called. He said the initial phase of the investigation was coming to an end.
``When this initial phase is over it will be followed by a second phase in which a grand assembly of ulema (Muslim scholars) will be called,'' he said.
The Taliban say Mullah Mohammad Omar, the movement's supreme leader, has the final say on punishment.
It was unclear if the detainees would appear again on Sunday when the court next sits, or whether the 16 Afghans, expected to be tried separately, would be called to give evidence.
The diplomats said while the day's proceedings had helped, the legal process remained clouded with uncertainty.
``It looks like it's going to go on for some time, especially since they have given us the option to select legal representation,'' said Australian diplomat Alistair Adams.
QUICKLY DECIDE
Chief Justice Saqib was later quoted by the Pakistan-based Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) as saying that to speed the process the accused should quickly decide whether they wanted to hire lawyers or defend themselves.
German diplomat Helmut Landes said he needed more access. ''The diplomats will write a letter to the Chief Justice to be able to have frequent consular access to the detainees to give them legal advice,'' he told reporters.
Taliban Foreign Minister Wakil Ahmed Muttawakil said on Thursday a decree offering lenient treatment to foreigners accused of spreading Christianity did not apply in this case.
The Taliban, who espouse a purist form of Islam, have been internationally condemned for rights abuses, especially against women, and the destruction of Afghanistan's pre-Islamic heritage.
PHOTO CAPTION:
Foreign journalists and locals walk toward Supreme Court in Kabul, Afghanistan, for a trial of detained aid workers of the Shelter Now International Saturday, Sept. 8, 2001. Eight foreign aid workers appeared Saturday at the Taliban's highest court for the first time to plead their case on charges they preached Christianity in the devoutly Muslim nation. They said they were not guilty. (AP Photo/B.K. Bangash