Afghanistan suspends two aid groups for preaching Christianity

* Government says it has no evidence
* Proselytising is punishable by death

By Sayed Salahuddin

KABUL, May 31 (Reuters) - Afghanistan's government has suspended the activities of two Western aid groups on suspicion of proselytising, an official said on Monday.

World Church Services (WCS) and the Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) were ordered to stop work as part of a government probe into the activities of aid groups after a private Afghan TV channel accused them of trying to convert Muslims -- an offence that carries the death penalty in Afghanistan.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Economy, Sediq Amarkhil, said the government had no evidence against either organisation, which started operating in the country during the rule of the Islamist Taliban, in the late 1990s.

As planning ministry in those days, the economy ministry oversaw NGO affairs.

"If proven after the investigation that they were involved in conversion activities, they will be introduced to the judicial authorities," he said. "If not then they can resume their operations."