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Lawyer Representing Detained Aid Workers in Afghanistan Discusses Case

Aired September 30, 2001 - 08:08   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.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: We've been talking throughout the morning about trying to establish this signal from Kabul, Afghanistan. As you can imagine, it is quite difficult getting a signal out of there, but at this time we have managed to reach Atif Ali Khan. He is a Pakistani lawyer who is there to represent the eight Western aide workers on trial, accused of preaching Christianity.

Sir, it's Bill Hemmer in New York City, and if you can hear me OK with that signal established, tell us what the evidence is against the aide workers for putting them on trial in the first place.

ATIF ALI KHAN, ATTORNEY: Could you repeat the question?

HEMMER: Yeah, what is the evidence presented against the aide workers in Kabul.

KHAN: Well, today, it was today only a symbolic thing. The chief justice brought all the detainees into the court, as well as me, and they told the detainees that I was to represent them, and they agreed to that.

Apart from that, the charge sheet was read out and the material that -- the evidence and all the other documentation should be provided to me and some will be probably given tomorrow.

HEMMER: So, at this point you don't know the evidence, then, based on your answer. Is that accurate?

KHAN: Yes, I have had no access to the evidence yet.

HEMMER: Is there a legal precedent, sir, legal precedent in Afghanistan for trying those who preach any religion other than Islam?

KHAN: There is no precedent to date. This is a very unique case, so under the circumstances, are going to be so very different from any other case that they have tried over here.

HEMMER: Help us understand why it is that family members have not been allowed access to those on trial and since dating back to the first of September, almost a month's time, why no access granted or given?

KHAN: Well, the parents were here until the 11th of September. After that, they were told to get out of Afghanistan because of security reasons.

HEMMER: All right, we have parents of Heather Mercer with us, standing by in Islamabad, to the east of where you are. CNN's Tom Mintier with them. He has questions as well. Tom, hello.

TOM MINTIER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Bill, hello. Mr. Khan, you can hear me, I'm sure, I just talked to you a couple of days ago, before you went into Afghanistan.

I understand you were able to meet with all eight detainees today. Did you talk to Heather Mercer and how is she doing? Her parents are here with me and they can also hear you and have a couple of questions for you, but first, how are all eight of the detainees.

KHAN: I had a very brief meeting yesterday and a two hour meeting today. Heather and all the other detainees are very well and they are thanking their parents for all their support. They are really happy that they are there in Islamabad and they hope that they'll be with them very soon.

MINTIER: John Mercer, you have a question.

DEBORAH ODDY, MOTHER OF DETAINEE: Mr. Khan, I know that the detainees have been moved at least once since we left Kabul on the 11th. Have they been moved for a second time?

KHAN: Well, they were moved once, I don't think -- that's the only place they moved to. I don't think they've been moved again.

ODDY: Thank you.

JOHN MERCER, FATHER OF DETAINEE: Mr. Khan, I'm glad to talk with you, glad that you got into Kabul safely. And would you just please tell Heather that we are here. And we will stay here.

KHAN: Yes, definitely. She is happy about that.

MINTIER: All right, Mr. Khan, thank you very much. Bill, a couple are very, very worried parents here wondering about the situation of not just their daughter, as one parent, but as the seven others who are also being detained.

One of the first things John Mercer said to me when we said we were going to talk to Mr. Khan in Afghanistan was please ask about all of them, all eight. They're concerned about all eight, not just their daughter. But, understandably, as parents, very concerned about their daughter right now and the situation she is facing, facing a trial without her parents. Something we take for granted in many other parts of the world, being able to stand by your child if they are in a court of law, simply isn't possible right now here. Bill, back to you.

HEMMER: Yeah, Tom, quickly, to Mr. Khan, before we let him go, legally, in that court, what is the next step there in Kabul, sir?

KHAN: Well, the next thing is that they're giving us three to 15 days to prepare the case, and we will start to get access to the evidence very soon. If there is not much material to go into, we will probably go into court before the 15 days are over. So, that's how it's going to be now.

HEMMER: Yeah, and, are you the only attorney representing the eight, or is there a larger legal team that we're not seeing at this point?

KHAN: No, I'm the only attorney.

HEMMER: Would you like more legal help? One would assume that would help your cause.

KHAN: Well, when I go through the evidence and all of the documents, I would be able to make a better decision on that.

HEMMER: OK. Atif Ali Khan, the Pakistani attorney, live from Kabul, again, representing the eight Western aide workers, of whom two are Americans.

Again, as he mentioned, that trial will continue in the days ahead.

Sir, thank you for your time, and, again, keep us posted of what happens inside of Afghanistan. And clearly the anguish is obvious on the faces and in the reactions of the parents standing by with Tom Mintier in neighboring Pakistan.

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