Four Americans and one Zimbabwean, who were arrested on Thursday, on the charge of supplying AIDS drugs to the impoverished people without a license in a part of the African nation, have been penalised by a judge in a Harare court.

The aid workers have been fined $200 each in bail and they have also been made to surrender their passports. Until their trial, they are made to stay at the Mother of Peace orphanage.

The four arrested Americans work for Christian charity Allen Temple AIDS Ministry. Before appearing in the court today, they remained in the Zimbabwean police custody, as per the U. S. Embassy.

The alleged did not plead guilty, as they claimed carrying out such acts in the country earlier also, which is not a major offense.

Jonathan Samukange, their defense attorney said, "The charges were relatively minor and the workers will definitely not be going to jail. I intend to prove that my clients are innocent".

He added that he expects that the charity would permit them to carry on with the process.

The crew that has been arrested comprises one doctor, two nurses and a community volunteer. Almost for the last ten years, the Allen Temple AIDS Ministry has been providing AIDS drugs in Zimbabwe and the problem of licensing has erupted for the first time, as expressed by the members of the church.