The chief justice of Afghanistan's ruling Taliban said today eight foreign aid workers accused of promoting Christianity could hire foreign, non-Muslim lawyers, a Pakistan-based Afghan news agency reported.
They have the complete right to defend themselves in court. If they want to use a lawyer we have no objection, Afghan Islamic Press (AIP) quoted Chief Justice Noor Mohammad Saqib as saying.
"They can even bring in foreign, non-Muslim lawyers to defend themselves," he added.
Twenty-four staff from the German-based Christian relief agency Shelter Now International - four Germans, two Americans and two Australians and 16 Afghans - were arrested more than four weeks ago on charges that could carry the death penalty.
The trial of the eight foreigners began on Tuesday.
PA