Afghanistan's ruling Taliban movement today released from detention 65 children it accused of receiving Christian teaching and imprisoned their fathers instead, official media reported.
The hardline Islamist Taliban's Bakhtar Information Agency said the children had been taught by staff from German-based Christian relief agency Shelter Now International, which has had 24 of its workers - including eight foreign nationals - detained since last weekend for promoting Christianity.
The agency added that the fathers had been jailed for several days as punishment for failing to keep an eye on their children to prevent them from being exposed to proselytising Christians.
Under the Taliban's strict interpretation of Islamic Sharia law Afghans can be given the death penalty for either deserting Islam or trying to convert Afghan Muslims to Christianity.
Diplomats from three countries have been waiting in Islamabad for Taliban permission to visit their detained nationals in Kabul, who include four Germans, two Australians and two Americans.
The Taliban had promised to issue visas to the diplomats by today, but failed to do so.