Western governments yesterday requested permission to monitor the investigation and proposed trial of eight aid workers detained by Afghanistan's ruling Taliban militia for allegedly preaching Christianity.
But the fate of the two Americans, two Australians and four Germans, arrested more than three weeks ago, was no clearer following the first consular visit to Kabul late on Monday.
"Today we have started discussions with the ministry of foreign affairs in order to monitor the procedure and hopefully we might have other talks," said the Pakistan-based German consul, Mr Helmut Landes. He said further meetings with the prisoners had been arranged during yesterday's talks with the Taliban.
"We have not heard any complaints about their well-being, their conditions and the food they are eating," he said a day after diplomats met the captives, staff of the German group, Shelter Now, for the first time.
"We have arranged other meetings with the detainees but I do not know if it will be today or tomorrow [yesterday]." The diplomats later yesterday met the foreign ministry Consulate Affairs Chief, Mr Abdul Rahman Ahmad Hotak, and demanded information on how long the prisoners would remain in custody before being charged, tried and sentenced. Asked whether they would be allowed to monitor the legal procedure, Mr Hotak said he told the diplomats to be patient.
"As the investigation is still continuing we have told them from the beginning not to be too interested in getting involved," he said, while promising to co-operate "as much as we can".
"The investigation is being carried out in accordance with Sharia law, so God willing we will have a fair and good result.
"So far their patience and tolerance has been useful and they have been satisfied."
Taliban religious police arrested the Westerners, as well as 16 Afghan colleagues, in early August and later displayed thousands of confiscated computer disks carrying Christian material and Afghan-language Bibles.