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American Morning

Attorney for 8 International Relief Workers in Afghanistan is Optimistic About Outcome of Trial

Aired October 04, 2001 - 09:13   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
MILES O'BRIEN, CNN ANCHOR: The trial of 8 international relief workers in Afghanistan is on hold, to give their attorney time to prepare his case. The 8 -- 2 Americans, 2 Australians, and 4 Germans -- are charged with trying to convert Muslims to Christianity. The lawyer for the aid workers is Attif Ali Khan -- he joins us, from Kabul, Afghanistan. Mr. Ali Khan, can you hear me?

ATTIF ALI KHAN, ATTORNEY: Yes, I can hear you.

O'BRIEN: All right, if you could just bring us up to date on your preparations for this case and where things stand legally, in Kabul.

ALI KHAN: Well, at this point, we have been given an English translation of the charge -- that was this morning-- and we have just started preparation, I have met with the detainees for around three hours today. I've taken their input, and we were looking into Islamic law now.

O'BRIEN: You said you met with the detainees today. How would you describe their spirits, and, are you and they optimistic that there will be a conclusion that would lead to their release?

ALI KHAN: Well, I have been meeting the detainees almost regularly three or four hours a day. As a whole they are feeling fine. One of the detainees, the American Heda Mercer (ph) -- she was not well yesterday. And then we requested the chief justice to provide for a doctor -- who saw her, today, and she is feeling better now.

O'BRIEN: Can you describe what afflicts her?

ALI KHAN: Well, it is probably the mental disturbance of being in detention for around two months now, and after the events of the 11th of -- the 11th, it is basically, they are fearing U.S. strike, and that is getting up to their nerves.

O'BRIEN: Mr. Ali Khan do you and your clients believe they are being used as political pawns?

ALI KHAN: No, I don't believe that this would be linked up with the political situation. I have full confidence in the judicial system over here. The chief justice has been very forthcoming and very cooperative in all matters. He has clearly stated that he shall give us every opportunity to defend them, and emphatically, that is what is happening. So I really don't think it links up.

O'BRIEN: As long as we have you here, you're standing there in Kabul. We have reports here in western media today, that there is some degree of panic inside Afghanistan -- in response to a potential attack by the U.S. forces. Can you describe what is going on there now? Is there panic in the streets?

ALI KHAN: Well, Kabul seems very calm. There seems to be no panic at all.

O'BRIEN: No panic at all. What is your sense of the Taliban leadership? Are they -- do they still have a firm hold on the reins of power there?

ALI KHAN: Well it seems like that. Everything is really calm and nothing seems to be happening -- so I suppose, they are under control.

O'BRIEN: What is your best prediction as to outcome this case against these aid workers -- these missionaries. Are you optimistic?

ALI KHAN: I'm very optimistic. And, basically practically we would like them to be banished at the most, and I really hope no harsh sentences would be given. I mean the justices have assured us that it is going to be very fair, and we really hope that they will be really compassionate in this matter.

O'BRIEN: Attif Ali Khan is the attorney representing 8 international relief workers charged by the Taliban with proselytizing Christianity. Thank you for being with us live from Kabul, exclusively here on CNN.

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