The UN special envoy to Afghanistan, Francesc Vendrell,...

The UN special envoy to Afghanistan, Francesc Vendrell, arrived in the Afghan capital saying he would talk to the ruling Taliban about the fate of 24 aid workers accused of promoting Christianity.
"It's part of my regular visits. I am going to meet the deputy foreign minister...who requested this meeting and we will have an exchange of views on a broad number of issues," Vendrell told reporters upon his arrival at Kabul airport. "I will be discussing the issue of SNI, of the foreign workers and also of Afghan workers," he said.
Twenty-four staff of the German-based Christian relief agency Shelter Now International (SNI) - four Germans, two Australians, two Americans and 16 Afghans - were arrested in August on charges that could carry the death penalty.
The Taliban say the trial of the eight foreigners is now in its third day, but despite earlier promises that the proceedings would be open, they have not allowed relatives, diplomats or journalists access to the proceedings.