World

Deal to Free 2 US Hikers Held in Iran Hits Snag…Because of Judge’s Vacation

Deal to Free 2 US Hikers Held in Iran Hits Snag Because of Judges Vacation

An Iranian court on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2011, set bail of $500,000 each for Shane Bauer, left, and Josh Fattal, the two American men arrested more than two years ago and convicted on spying charges. A second judge needed to sign the bail papers is on vacation, delaying their release. (AP Photo/Press TV, File)

TEHRAN, Iran (The Blaze/AP) — A bail-for-freedom deal for two Americans jailed as spies in Iran hit a snag Sunday because a judge whose signature is needed on the bail papers was on vacation, the prisoners’ lawyer said, dashing hopes for their immediate release.

The attorney, Masoud Shafiei, said he could not complete the paperwork on the $1 million bail deal because a second judge who must sign the documents is on vacation until Tuesday. One judge already signed the papers Saturday.

“I have no choice but to wait until Tuesday,” Shafiei told The Associated Press.

Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal, both 29 years old, have been jailed for more than two years in a case that has deepened the mistrust between Iran and the United States. Talk of their possible release has been escalating all week.

They were detained along the Iran-Iraq border in July 2009 with their friend Sarah Shourd. She was released last September with mediation by the Gulf nation of Oman after $500,000 was paid.

The men were convicted of spying for the United States and illegally entering Iran and were each sentenced last month to eight years in prison. They denied the charges and appealed the verdicts, opening the way for the possible deal to free them in exchange for $500,000 bail each.

They say they were just hiking in Iraq’s scenic north and may have mistakenly crossed an unmarked border with Iran.

Iran‘s Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said Saturday the courts are willing to commute the Americans’ sentences in the “near future” as a gesture of Islamic mercy, but did not say when the pair could be released.

However, Mohammed Javad Larijani, the head of Iran‘s Human Rights Council and a brother of the country’s head of the powerful judiciary, said the men’s “crime was not limited to illegal trespassing.” Bauer and Fattal were spying for the U.S. and “we do not award the spies,” Larijani told the semiofficial Fars news agency Sunday.

The mixed signals could reflect the bitter internal political feuds inside Iran between President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and the country’s ruling clerics, who control the courts. Ahmadinejad and his allies are accused of trying to challenge the power of Iran’s Islamic establishment.

The first word of the bail plan for Bauer and Fattal came earlier this week from Ahmadinejad, who said the Americans could be freed in a matter of days. But Iran’s hardline judiciary then responded that the bail provisions were still under review.

Mediators from Iraq and Oman have asked Iran to free the Americans on humanitarian grounds.

The Gulf state dispatched a plane to Tehran on Wednesday to carry the pair out of Iran when a bail-for-freedom deal is reached. Swiss officials also are involved as representatives of U.S. interests in Iran, which has no diplomatic ties with America.

Officials in Oman were tightlipped about their mediation efforts for fear of jeopardizing the deal. At least two close advisers of the Omani ruler were in Iran. Also, Oman’s foreign minister, Yousef bin Alawi, discussed “issues of mutual interest” with Iran’s top diplomat twice this week, Iran official news agency IRNA reported.

Oman has close ties with both Tehran and the Washington and plays a strategic role in the region by sharing control with Iran of the Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Persian Gulf – the route for 40 percent of the world’s oil tanker traffic

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Thursday the United States continues to hope the Americans will be released, adding that Washington has received word through a number of sources that the two will be returned to their families.

The last direct contact family members had with Bauer and Fattal was in May 2010 when their mothers were permitted a short visit in Tehran.

Since her release last year, Shourd has lived in Oakland, California. Bauer, a freelance journalist, grew up in Onamia, Minnesota and Fattal, an environmental activist, is from suburban Philadelphia.

Bauer proposed marriage to Shroud while in prison.

Comments (66)

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  • GaryInTheMiddle
    Posted on September 18, 2011 at 12:46pm

    The idiolistic liberal dopes need to pay us back.

    Report Post » GaryInTheMiddle  
    • chazman
      Posted on September 18, 2011 at 3:02pm

      … I’ve never felt sorry for these butheads. And when Aquaman steps foot on American soil he should be arrested for extortion and held without bail!!! Good way to get our money back!!

      Report Post »  
    • ashestoashes
      Posted on September 18, 2011 at 6:21pm

      Wouldn’t you give a million dollars for a couple of liberals?

      Report Post »  
    • jzs
      Posted on September 18, 2011 at 7:29pm

      LIberals? Where did that idea come from.

      Anyway, my guess: the confusion isn’t a result of some judge being on vacation, this is a power struggle within Iran.

      Report Post » jzs  
  • Rajabear1
    Posted on September 18, 2011 at 12:23pm

    Alright, I’m just gonna say it. In the very beginning my initial gut reaction was fear for their safety and concern. Within a matter of a couple of hours after researching them, concern was replaced with almost a type of anger. After months had passed, it was replaced with real anger. These ‘young’ stupid liberal people thinking they could reach out their proverbial hand to Iran to show us Americans how wrong we are. They really are nice and misunderstood folks in Iran, don’t you know? They were warned about the boarders and defied it. Well, because you see, ‘they (Iran) won’t harm US, they’ll be so happy to see there ARE Americans that stand with them! They will love US!’ Mean while, back at the ranch, their family and friends have turned their lived and fortunes upside down to ‘rescue’ their small pea brained selves. But most importantly, they put America in a sticky situation as a whole. Now the talks of releasing Iranian prisoners for their sorry asses and having less power to place sanctions on Iran or what have you, is jeopardized, to some extent, all for the sake of their ignorance and is an awesome excuse for this administration to ‘fold’ to the powers that be. They did this willingly and knowingly and deserve what they get. Pay the price in your beloved Iran. Serve your sentence and be grateful they didn’t stone your a@@es. And do us a favor as paying back our country as a whole, grow up and wise up while you are given the gift of time sitting in your

    Report Post »  
    • jlcook
      Posted on September 18, 2011 at 1:29pm

      Amen RAJABEAR1, you know these clowns wont learn a thing, they will probably get book and movie deals, I pray, then maybe they can pay us back, but you know they wont. Maybe this judge will denie bail and they can rot in Iran, until there stoning sentence, MORONS!

      Report Post » jlcook  
    • They SMEAR what they FEAR
      Posted on September 18, 2011 at 10:16pm

      Ahhh..knew there was something more to it. Figured Missionaries or idiots (i.e. libs) …lucky to still be alive. Where’s Clinton?

      Report Post » They SMEAR what they FEAR  
  • RodT82721
    Posted on September 18, 2011 at 12:06pm

    There can’t be a better on-the-job training for a couple of American hating progressive journalist wanna-bes, from the peoples republic of Berkeley, then a few years in an enlightened country’s jail!
    What better way to see how the un-oppressed actually live? If they get really lucky, maybe they will get a real taste of torture, done in the Islam manner. That would be a real eye opener. Then they could compare it to water-boarding! What a great experience that would be.

    By the way, Hillary, use your own money to pay the ransom, I refuse to pay for these two’s learning experiences.

    Report Post »  
  • borisbadinov
    Posted on September 18, 2011 at 12:06pm

    Wandering idiots indeed! Stupid doesn’t begin to describe these fools.

    Report Post » borisbadinov  
  • AllAmericanGirl22
    Posted on September 18, 2011 at 11:48am

    Although I extrememly oppose many things that they are standing for- such as being anti-Israel-I still think they should be released. Yes, it’s pretty stupid to go hike anywhere near Iran, but they are Americans (even if they hate it) and they sould be released.

    Report Post » AllAmericanGirl22  
  • elizzyj1
    Posted on September 18, 2011 at 11:47am

    Why are we freeing these losers? I say let them stay there and face the consequences of their stupid decision. Of ALL THE PLACES IN THIS BEAUTIFUL WORLD TO GO…and they go there. IF THEY ARE ANTI-AMERICAN, WHY ARE THEY ALLOWING AMERICA TO BAIL THEIR SORRY ASSES OUT? WHY DO THEY EVEN WANT TO COME BACK?? Let them rot in prison. They probably thought they could convince them that they were on their side and that they hated America. Not really working for them I guess. Stupid hippies.

    Report Post » elizzyj1  
  • wordweaver
    Posted on September 18, 2011 at 11:45am

    Bail is such an inappropriate term to describe the million dollars to secure the release of these two. They have already been tried (such as it is), convicted, and sentenced by the Iranian courts. You could call it a fine, ransom, bribe… but I don’t see it as bail. Bail is a security you pay to go free until trial. I can only conclude that our mealy-mouthed State Department is going along with the terminology to get these guys out of there. I haven’t read anything about where the million dollars comes from. I hope it is from private contributions.

    Report Post » wordweaver  
    • onegodinkansas
      Posted on September 18, 2011 at 2:03pm

      Dead on. I’ve been waiting for someone, anyone, to call this what it is. 2 American citizens held for ransom by a hostile nation. Imagine the media coverage if Bush were in the White House.

      Report Post »  
  • ddg7
    Posted on September 18, 2011 at 11:09am

    Just more of our ‘DOLLAR DIPLOMACY’ at work. Let these people rot and you‘ll stop future ’hikers’ from venturing into Iran.

    Report Post »  
  • 82dAirborne
    Posted on September 18, 2011 at 11:00am

    Wow – a government function held up because of a vacation?? I’m glad that never happens in this country!

    Report Post » 82dAirborne  
  • roadhog
    Posted on September 18, 2011 at 10:57am

    I would Just like to Know the Truth are these 3 That Dum. Or were they Peaceniks

    Report Post »  
  • FORLORNHOPE
    Posted on September 18, 2011 at 10:54am

    Shane Bauer hates America and Israel he has written pro Palestinian articles. His articles have been published in The nation magazine, al jazeera, and Mother Jones.

    Report Post »  
  • Blight14
    Posted on September 18, 2011 at 10:51am

    Those three swarthy JudenRats are not worth a $50 ransom…………hang them at dawn………televise the event for the entire globe to witness……….

    Report Post »  
  • rochrealtor
    Posted on September 18, 2011 at 10:27am

    Why every time “mini-me” (Ahmadinejad) comes to spew his hatred, he pretends to will release innocent civilians?

    Report Post »  
    • Rajabear1
      Posted on September 18, 2011 at 12:56pm

      They are not innocent civilians. They were warned by several folks in the village in Iraq that they started their ‘hike’ from on at the base of the mountains NOT to go. They were also told explicitly about the boarders and what would happen if they got near them. In all their ‘wisdom’ they received from Berkly, they made a conscious choice to go up those mountains, just like those idiot girls did in North Korea, and challenge the laws (no matter how much some may see those laws unjust or whatever) in a foreign country. I suggest researching these three ‘One World’ lovers and read their backgrounds and writings. if for nothing else, they should serve their full sentence because, ya know, Iran is a really great country, America is just too stupid to realize it and their goal in life is to prove how mean and awful the USA is to the rest of the world.
      They went on that hike armed with knowledge, but unfortunately, places like Berkly doesn’t teach objective reasoning so anything resembling wisdom is out the door.

      Report Post »  
  • mikee1
    Posted on September 18, 2011 at 10:24am

    Are our TAX DOLLARS BEING USED TO HELP THESE LIBERAL DOPES?

    Report Post » mikee1  
  • concealled9mms
    Posted on September 18, 2011 at 10:04am

    This is really a simple matter to fix to get the kids released now. Ahmadinejad is coming to america and will speak at columbia university simply put the cuffs on him take him to gitmo charge him with spying and the kids will be released real quick. By the way columbia u you should loose all funding that comes your way as you far out liberal sons of bitches dont deserve any of my tax money .

    Report Post »  
    • db321
      Posted on September 18, 2011 at 10:21am

      What do you want to bet that if and when these two are returned they will become a huge activist here in America for a socialist transformation of our Government.

      Report Post » db321  
    • eyestoseeearstohear
      Posted on September 18, 2011 at 1:21pm

      @ CONCEALLED9MMS

      You are SO RIGHT!
      WHY is this ENEMY of the US allowed to float IN & OUT of America?

      Columbia University OBVIOULSY turns out TERD-HEAD THINKERS
      who agree with Ahmadinejad or Iran’s way of thinking, and is probably why
      OBAMA CLAIMS to have attended there.

      ALL FUNDING needs to be CUT OFF TO ANY UNIVERSITY WHO INVITE/ENCOURAGE
      FOREIGN ENEMY/DICTATORS.

      Report Post »  
  • CarolinaGirl
    Posted on September 18, 2011 at 9:58am

    I have ZERO sympathy for these hikers. STUPID! And I too hope that US tax payers’ dollars are NOT used to bail out these nit-wits.

    Report Post » CarolinaGirl  
    • MHP
      Posted on September 18, 2011 at 10:09am

      Dittoes on that

      And now this, a new popup from The Blaze? What gives.
      Glenn if you want subscribers to GBTV, you best pull all the popups.
      this one is huge. Took half of my screen.

      cdn.media6degreesocus/plhmic/tb7605.s/fot_post_ID’ value=’13987 location.sp.w-rehGoogle thde 2FstTbutton” Retap eze */ location.w.theblat_post_ID’ value=’1398if (s

      G ACCo-daysst/”>t.writeedcopt +f (s

      G lorip1); d.http:ppe”; d.

      Atlant’ wpOnlass() = location w.theblaze.com/the-wire/102621+f (som/the-wjsce(vscite(’

      Report Post » MHP  
    • Marengo Ohio Patriot
      Posted on September 18, 2011 at 10:13am

      these three progressive/left/socialist ‘kids’ should be right at home in iran. funny how left wingnuts suddenly ‘love’ america when they find out how the rest of the world operates!

      Report Post »  
  • eat-more-bacon-USA
    Posted on September 18, 2011 at 9:40am

    Why are these idiots still in the “news”?

    Report Post » eat-more-bacon-USA  
  • Hobo Gator
    Posted on September 18, 2011 at 9:30am

    Maybe local citizens can ask President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad himself when he is in New York City tomorrow. I hope his luggage doesn’t have anything that might get him thrown in a New Ciy Jail and held for 1 million bail. That would just be a big fat shame.

    Report Post »  
  • The Bulletproof Patriot
    Posted on September 18, 2011 at 9:22am

    The United States has no diplomatic relations with Iran, which explains why we have no embassy there and must do our bidding through the Swiss. Just like with Michael Fay (the guy who was caned in Singapore in 1994 for vandalizing cars), the U.S. government got involved – in that case, there was an embassy and the U.S. requested leniency. The number of times Fay was caned was reduced from 6 to 4 as a result.

    Now, the U.S. is considering negotiating with a terrorist state and paying them off to release two of the three idiot hikers who for whatever reason thought it was a good idea to hike in Iraq along the Iranian border. This had better not be taxpayer cash and if it is, these two morons should do the full eight years. Personal responsibility has to start somewhere.

    http://www.thebulletproofpatriot.com

    Report Post »  
    • 13th Imam
      Posted on September 18, 2011 at 9:30am

      Dear Ach

      We have just arrested twenty Irainian spies at the UN. You have 24 hours to have these American idiots at the border. for a swap. Your cities will disappear one at a time, each hour they are held past the 24 hour limit. You make the choice

      Report Post » 13th Imam  
  • jcizarter
    Posted on September 18, 2011 at 9:11am

    The Left is Crazy. I wonder if they have figured out that it is not good to “roller skate in a Buffalo herd”? And you Caint drive around with a Tiger in your car. They may be the types that have to try things to see if ya can get away with it.

    Report Post » jcizarter  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on September 18, 2011 at 9:23am

      This matter more and more sounds like Iran’s government is pressing Mr Obama for concessions and guarantees over the release of these two. I have to wonder what he has already given away for the sake of getting them back — probably the keys to our defensive systems he has not sold out to his overlords in China.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • Exrepublisheep
      Posted on September 18, 2011 at 9:36am

      @snow. Have some coffee.

      Report Post » Exrepublisheep  
    • eyestoseeearstohear
      Posted on September 18, 2011 at 1:29pm

      @ JCIZARTER

      Yup…You’re right!

      I think it’s become a GAME of thes Little Lefty Loons – to see IF they can get in the
      World Record Book of “ MOST STUPID STUNTS”.

      I think these two IDIOTS should PAY BACK ALL $$$ FOR THEIR RELEASE.
      And, IF they are NOT released- I’m NOT losing any sleep over them.
      ” Stupid is, as stupid does”…fully applies here.

      Report Post »  
  • cassandra
    Posted on September 18, 2011 at 9:04am

    maybe the students at Columbia University should ask amdinnerjacket why these kids are still in jail? Amdinnerjacket all ready took 500,000 from the girls family and now he will get more .This is nothing more than extortion

    Report Post »  
    • Darla_K
      Posted on September 18, 2011 at 9:19am

      I agree. Maybe when he comes here for his vacation we can detain him and trade straight across. These people should of not been hiking so close to their border. Can you imagine if we detained everyone we caught close to our borders and demanded a ransom before we released them? Think of how much of our debt we could pay off.

      Report Post » Darla_K  
  • BeTheSolution
    Posted on September 18, 2011 at 9:03am

    aside from the inherent stupidity on trying to vacation in a region such as that, why on earth can’t they interrupt the judges vacation if these two men are indeed not spies? It would spoil what maybe an entire 45 seconds of his vacation to release two men who have been in prison wrongfully for years? And if they are in fact spies we should definitely get them out since they were working for us, following orders if you will. Whether we agree with the activity or not.

    Report Post » BeTheSolution  
  • HKS
    Posted on September 18, 2011 at 8:53am

    I think we played this same political game before with this country, Oh yes, the Carter Administration in the 70s. Same country, same game and the same political party. Is there something weird here, it’s like instant replay.

    Report Post » HKS  
  • Exrepublisheep
    Posted on September 18, 2011 at 8:48am

    Obama doesn’t care about these people. If he did he’d sell Iran weapons to get then released. Like Reagan did.

    Report Post » Exrepublisheep  
  • YepImaConservative
    Posted on September 18, 2011 at 8:48am

    Good. Keep them there for another few months. Let this be a lesson to all the half-wits out there who actually think hiking (or whatever the hell they were doing) is a smart thing to do in that region of the world.

    Report Post » YepImaConservative  
    • Exrepublisheep
      Posted on September 18, 2011 at 8:59am

      Hmm, a good point actually.

      Report Post » Exrepublisheep  
    • YepImaConservative
      Posted on September 18, 2011 at 9:18am

      Yep, the only Americans who should be in that region of the world are the one’s who are killing Islamic terrorists, Jihadists, Al Qaeda etc… our Military. Hopefully Iran is next.

      You want to hike the sand and hump the mountains? Join up.

      Report Post » YepImaConservative  
    • AJAYW
      Posted on September 18, 2011 at 9:52am

      You are correct- Life is about choices –They choose to put themselves it that situation – Let them figure out how to get back. Good lesson for other idiots

      Report Post »  
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