August 12, 2001
Source: Los Angeles Times
On August 12, 2001, the Los Angeles Times reported that "the ruling Taliban movement...freed dozens of children it had accused of receiving Christian teaching and imprisoned their fathers instead, the official media [in Afghanistan] reported. Meanwhile, a special U.N. envoy began a mission here aimed at pressing the Taliban to release eight foreigners, including two Americans, arrested on charges of propagating Christianity in this devout Muslim nation." The foreigners worked at Shelter Now International, where the youngsters who had been imprisoned were taught.