Visa Extension Refused in Aid Workers’ Case

Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban rejected any extension of visas for three Western diplomats who have been trying to see jailed foreign aid workers.

The Taliban refused to allow any visits with the prisoners, and the diplomats’ visas run out Tuesday.

The aid workers--two Americans, four Germans and two Australians--worked for Shelter Now International, operated by a Germany-based Christian group, Vision for Asia. They are accused of proselytizing.

Meanwhile, a Taliban official said that evidence had been turned up that three other international aid groups are involved in propagating Christianity. He refused to identify them, but another official had earlier called the United Nations’ World Food Program suspicious.