Afghanistan's Taliban militia has ruled out pardons for aid workers detained for allegedly preaching Christianity and claimed their arrest as a victory for the Islamic world.
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A cameraman shoots banned materials the Afghan Taliban displayed to the press
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"The appeal for acquittal was only possible if they were not aware of our stance and announcements, or if they had done what they did through a mistake," said Mr Mawlavi Mohammad Wali, the Taliban's minister for the promotion of virtue and prevention of vice.
"After the investigation is over, an Islamic Sharia court will decide as to what sort of treatment will be adopted against them", he said.
The Taliban have held 24 members of the German-based Christian relief agency Shelter Now International for over a week. Eight of those held are foreigners - four Germans, two Australians and two Americans.
Under the Taliban's strict interpretation of Islamic Sharia law, Afghans can be given the death penalty for deserting Islam or trying to convert Afghan Muslims to Christianity.
AFP