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Aid worker trial 'bogged down' in Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (CNN) -- U.S. military bombing in Afghanistan has "bogged down" the trial of eight Western aid workers accused of trying to convert Muslims to Christianity, the father of one prisoner said Tuesday.

"Their lawyer has submitted their defensive brief to the court," said John Mercer, who is in Islamabad, Pakistan, working for the release of his daughter, Heather Mercer. "Unfortunately it doesn't appear that the court has that on the front burner at this time. Of course, that is disappointing."

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The aid workers -- four Germans, two Americans and two Australians -- have been held by the ruling Taliban since early August, after being charged with trying to convert Muslims to Christianity. Their trial resumed September 30 in Kabul.

They are members of Shelter Now International, a German relief agency that provided food and homes to the poor of Afghanistan.

Mercer said he believes his daughter is being treated well and kept in a "fairly decent place." He said he was able to send clothing and other items to his daughter, and that the aid workers' lawyer is allowed regular visits.

He said the trial, as it proceeds, is being conducted fairly, but it "remains to be seen how this plays out."

Heather Mercer told her parents in a recent letter that the bombing near Kabul made the prisoners nervous.

"My daughter and the others are afraid of the bombing, but they realize that they hopefully will be safe. They just want to get this over with and hopefully be released," he said.

Attif Ali Khan, the attorney for the aid workers, has said if they are convicted their punishment could simply be expulsion from the country.

Earlier this month Afghanistan's ruling Taliban had offered to release the aid workers if the "United States stops its mass propaganda of military action against the people of Afghanistan," the group said in a statement.

In response, the Bush administration repeated its position: The United States will not negotiate with the Taliban.