Two international charities have denied allegations from the Afghanistan government that they were engaged in Christian proselytizing in the country after Afghani officials suspended their activities, says Reuters.

Church World Service and Norwegian Church Aid said they had been operating in Afghanistan for decades and their work was entirely humanitarian. Both groups vehemently denied the allegations.

Afghanistan officials said on Monday that the government was suspending the groups’ activities in the country pending an investigation. A private Afghan television station said the two groups were trying to convert Muslims, triggering the government investigation. Proselytizing is an offense punishable by death in Afghanistan.