Aid workers trial begins in Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan (CNN) -- The trial of eight overseas aid workers, accused of trying to convert Muslims to Christianity, began in Kabul on Tuesday, the chief justice of Afghanistan's Supreme Court said.

The trial is in a preliminary stage, chief justice Noor Mohammed Saqib said, noting none of the detainees had been brought to court yet.

Saqib emphasized that he could not put a time frame on the trial, but added the court would work "continuously."

The eight aid workers charged with proselytizing -- two Americans, four Germans and two Australians -- are members of the Shelter Now International assistance group.

Earlier Tuesday, officials of Afghanistan's Supreme Court met to decide the details of how to conduct the trial.

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The act of trying to convert Muslims to Christianity is considered illegal under the strict Islamic law enforced by the ruling Taliban.

Although the aid workers have maintained their innocence, the Taliban says hundreds of pieces of evidence have been collected since they were arrested a month ago.

Probe completed

Afghanistan's Foreign Ministry said Monday it had completed its investigation of the aid workers.

Saqib said if the accused could not defend themselves, arrangements could be made for legal representation.

The act of trying to convert Muslims to Christianity is considered illegal under the strict Islamic law enforced by the ruling Taliban.

Sixteen Afghan aid workers have also been arrested and are charged with the same crime.

The Afghan Foreign Ministry has not indicated when the Afghanis might face trial. Their cases are being dealt with separately from their Western counterparts.

Death penalty

A decree issued by the Taliban's supreme leader early this year set the death penalty for Afghan Muslims converting to another religion. But the punishment for foreigners found preaching Christianity is unclear.

Monday, Taliban sources said the detainees' case will be heard by the Morafia High Court in a trial that could last a couple of days.

If the Western aid workers lose their case, they can appeal to the Stara Muhkama Supreme Court and can appeal again to the Taliban supreme commander should they lose their appeal before the Supreme Court.

Islamabad-based diplomats from Germany, Australia and the United States, together with the father of one American detainee and mother of the other, have been in Kabul for more than a week.

They have made several visits to the detainees, who have also received assistance from the International Committee of the Red Cross.

In recent days, the Taliban have also evicted the foreign staff of two other Christian humanitarian groups -- International Assistance Mission and Serve -- saying they were connected with SNI.