World

Lawyer: Jailed American Hikers Held in Iran Could Be Released

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Two Americans jailed in Iran on charges of espionage could be released after a court hearing slated for Sunday, their lawyer said.

American Hikers Held in Iran Could Be Released

In this May 20, 2010 file photo, American hikers Shane Bauer, left, Sarah Shourd, center, and Josh Fattal, sit at the Esteghlal Hotel in Tehran, Iran. Shourd was released from an Iranian jail last year, and the lawyer for Bauer and Fattal said he believes the two men may be released the soon.

Masoud Shafiei said Saturday the fact that the session in the trial of Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal would coincide with the second anniversary of their arrest may indicate that they will be freed.

The Muslim world also has a tradition of pardoning prisoners for the holy month of Ramadan, which starts early next week.

The two men and Bauer’s fiancee, Sarah Shourd, were detained on July 31, 2009, and Iran accused them of illegally crossing the border to spy. Shourd was released last year on $500,000 bail and has said she won’t return to Iran for trial.

They deny the charges and claim they were only hiking in a scenic, mountainous area in the semiautonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq, near the Iranian border.

The lawyer said Shourd has not been summoned for Sunday’s trial session, and he thinks that’s another indication that the case is almost over and his clients will be freed.

Shafiei suggested the court could convict the two but then sentence them to time served.

“They’ve spent two years of their life in jail in Iran, which will serve as their sentence. And tomorrow will coincide with the second anniversary of their arrest. My clients could be released should the court hearing be held tomorrow as planned,” he said.

Shafiei insisted the authorities have no evidence to prove espionage, and he pointed out the area where they were detained has a porous border.

“The espionage charge is irrelevant, and the charge of illegal entry is inconsistent with the facts. There was no clear border line and my clients are not guilty. I’ve provided a sufficient defense,” he said.

The U.S. government has appealed for the two men to be released, insisting that they have done nothing wrong.

Comments (51)

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  • flevan
    Posted on July 31, 2011 at 11:26am

    We should organize a peaceful protest of more moonbats to travel to Iran.

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  • southernORcobra
    Posted on July 31, 2011 at 11:21am

    no sympathy for these idiots you do not go hiking in a freaking WARZONE

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  • Blight14
    Posted on July 31, 2011 at 8:39am

    Joos, one and all…………..alas, their future in porn production, ecstasy distribution, ACLU directors, white se x slavery/trade, etc etc etc is still an option……

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  • Bigbird1960
    Posted on July 31, 2011 at 4:57am

    Why does the word Moonbats pop in my head with these morons?

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    • proliance
      Posted on July 31, 2011 at 7:55am

      Because blaming the victims is easier than understanding the truth?

      Report Post » proliance  
  • Messianique
    Posted on July 31, 2011 at 3:15am

    Dear puddsweetie

    Only after it turned out that “hiking” was just a lame excuse for these California lunatics did everyone find out who they were.
    For your information, they had had a history of anti-american activities and propaganda, lived and studied Arabic in Damascus , Syria for 5 years while they were actively working against the US interests.
    They are is lamic converts and as far as I’m concerned they should be tried for treason and subject to the most severe penalty the law could give them.
    Don’t forget that besides bashing America in the Arab world they highly contributed to increasing the anti-american sentiment around the world by the embarassing foolishness of their acts.

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  • pudssweetie
    Posted on July 31, 2011 at 12:19am

    I cannot believe some of you and your comments. You knew nothing of these young people until they were arrested and put in jail in Iran. You knew nothing of their personal lives and now all of a sudden you are experts and know everything about them. Whether or not it was right or wrong of them to go hiking where they did, they are Americans being held by one of our enemy’s, an enemy that want’s nothing more than to see America destroyed. What if they were your own children, would you say the same thing that most of you are saying? I care less what side of the political fence they stand, they are Americans and are humans who deserve to come home to their families. Must be nice to sit on here and be a judge and jury to these 3 young people who more than likely are innocent of any wrongdoing.

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  • crapgame
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 9:19pm

    Three idiots, that havent a brain among them cause all this trouble, and for what? They cost the tax paying public of this nation hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not more. They are useless idiots in a game of chess with Our enemy Iran. We should have left them there and washed Our hands of the whole mess.

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    • kurtnut
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 10:47pm

      Morons, definitely, but spies???? Are you people serious? Apparently these were tree-hugging leftists who probably were against the war and all that crap. That’s fine and dandy; they’re obviously not the smartest people. But to have so many posts here saying essentially, “the hell with them” is something I can’t get my head around. Don’t get me wrong. There‘s nothing I can’t stand more than a progressive, America-hating, leftist piece of sh*t….except maybe a dirty, anti-Christian, anti-Israeli, hate-filled Iranian with the views that a majority of muslim have towards Western women and children. No matter how stupid and naive these lib kids are, they still have families that love them. Regardless of my opinion, I still think they should get a bill for all the man-hours put in trying to get their dumbasses back home.

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  • Al J Zira
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 9:04pm

    Keep them! We don‘t need idiots that think it’s OK to hike along the Iranian border as if we love the world exists everywhere. This country has enough idiots we don’t need to import more.

    Report Post » Al J Zira  
  • Kurious3323
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 8:38pm

    WTF is going on in that picture?

    Report Post » Kurious3323  
  • Slayer
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 8:36pm

    The girl they released looks like your typical doe-eyed one-world why-can’t-we-be-friends Liberal who learned nothing from her experience. I have no sympathy for any of them.

    Report Post » Slayer  
  • Netsurfer2
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 7:48pm

    LMAO… Another Utopia, these Dem’s always think of a world without boarders and doing just what the heck they ever want! I think these idiots should work for a long time to come in paying the debt that they caused (plane flight home, lawyers, media), they should pay them all back for what they have done in helping! I suggest to make them work hard labor at minimum wage! Maybe they will begin to appreciate America once again!

    Report Post » Netsurfer2  
    • Professional Infidel
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 8:03pm

      Hike near pakistan next. Gad what were they thinking?? Dumb!! just cause you have an Idea!! Always get a 2nd Opinion. “My second Job” call anytime. $10,000.00, obo.

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  • Jediusetheforce
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 6:48pm

    We don’t need anymore Liberals in this country. Keep them there in Iran. They were stupid in the first place with their ideology, peace, and love without borders, and to tour the world. They are from Berkeley so that pretty much says it all. The world is a dangerous place so wake up boys and girls.

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    • GBMBulletsSKNRD
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 7:02pm

      You took the words right out of my mouth. I sais the same thing almost two years ago.

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  • ED4237
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 6:35pm

    Spies they are not and should be released but that should have been along time ago. Iran just likes to mess with foreign citizens of countries they don’t like and Iran went into Iraq to get them. Iran has other Americans it can let go also if so inclined.

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    • pfrancis1965
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 9:27pm

      Iran or Iraq what the hell were these IDIOTS taking a hike in a WAR zone for , wasn’t Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon good enough for a hike.

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  • olddog
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 6:06pm

    These Berkley kids were Americans spies and deserve to stay in Iran.. Don’t send them back, we’ll give you 2 million to keep them..

    Report Post » olddog  
    • Elena2010
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 6:32pm

      Old Dog — these are young pups. Young Pups do stupid things that we old farts would never contemplate. There is a study out there that shows that Young Pups do stupid things because their brains are not fully formed. I chalk it up to a lack of life experiences as well.

      Let’s get our children home then take them to the woodshed for being stupid. Just don’t leave them in the hands of those Iranian monsters.

      Report Post » Elena2010  
  • Walkabout
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 6:05pm

    Sarah Shourd, who is out on bail, won’t go back to Iran. I guess she is telling us by here actions which country is better. She will still belly ache about how bad the U.S. is.

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  • Ron_WA
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 6:05pm

    I pray for their release – more than for their families than them. In any case I hope this serves as a lesson for those who naively decide to put themselves in harm’s way & engage in risky behavior w/out a very dang good reason.

    Report Post » Ron_WA  
  • olddog
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 6:03pm

    These were all Berkley kids and the best place for the is in Iran, we don’t really need their type of thinking in this country… Iran has noticed that and know they will do more harm if sent back to America, why else would they let the spies go..

    Report Post » olddog  
  • mossbrain
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 5:58pm

    They look guilty to me. Shiftless. Dishonesty written all over their faces. Hang em, they’re spies.

    Report Post » mossbrain  
    • Disnylv
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 6:01pm

      Moss, I was just thinking the same thing, stupid is as stupid does.

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    • 13th Imam
      Posted on July 31, 2011 at 8:42am

      It is against the law to rip the President and most of DEMOCRAT DC from their homes to “Hang them”. Barry, Harry , Nancy, Eric, and the rest of this Shiftless, Guilty, Dishonest cabal should at least have a trial, then execute the sentence.

      Report Post » 13th Imam  
  • ThoreauHD
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 5:52pm

    I don’t feel sorry for hapless morons. Not my problem.

    Report Post » ThoreauHD  
    • getalong
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 5:55pm

      The kids were hiking and I wouldn’t be surprised if they were still in Iraq when they were picked up. What really upsets me is this President has done nothing to get these kids out of Iran. He makes me sick.

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    • vtxphantom
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 6:17pm

      Why does anyone go hiking in this area. Unless armed body guards are with you, you have to examine your sanity. The Ozarks, Cascades, or any mountain range here is just peachy. I don’t feel much for these misguided men. I assume they are over 18! They are men. Suck it up and take it like men.

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    • Mateytwo Barreett
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 8:51pm

      What better place to go hiking than the border region of a country half-way around the world- where the US just happens to carrying on a war for what 8 years. Just minding your own business, and allasudden BANG and you‘re being held in another country’s (Who, by the way, isn’t exactly what you would call an ally either). I don’t see a problem with some lawyer, or more likely a team of lawyers drawing a paycheck from the state department for 15 months. Or am I over simplifying the issue?

      Report Post » Mateytwo Barreett  
  • 13th Imam
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 5:52pm

    Remember a real President? Ronald Reagan. Very soon after “Dutch” came into office Our Hostages were released. Few Negotiations.
    With Milktoast in charge, three hikers are interred for over 2 years.Maybe George can set up a system for Barry ,in how to get information(GWB), understand your information(GWB), and then acting on it (Barry pushed by Hillary)

    Report Post » 13th Imam  
  • tangonine
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 5:52pm

    I wish more hippies would go backpacking through the hills of Iran and North Korea. It’s kind of an extended natural selection thing. Stupid = Dead.

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  • I Love Howie Carr
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 5:43pm

    Cassandra people do weird stuff, like eat bugs and peirce thier faces. Some people are just like that. Different strokes and all that. They’re not hurting anyone.

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  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 5:41pm

    God Above let them come home whole, healthy and intact in mind, body, and soul.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • LadyIzShy
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 5:39pm

    it would be nice to see them let go but dont hold your breath Iran is not known for being honest..

    Report Post » LadyIzShy  
  • cassandra
    Posted on July 30, 2011 at 5:35pm

    I’m sorry but what a bunch of dumb a$%^% who go for a hike just miles from a war zone ?

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    • rose-ellen
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 6:24pm

      That no media or politician ever challanges the narrative or at most might ginerly ask an obious question or two only to be more then willing to move on and accept whatever ludicrous explanation is given just serves to futher implicate these people as spies.As does the narrative given about them just wanting to hitchhike in war torn iraq where we know they‘ll behead americans invaders just as soon as they’ll look at you just futher implicates them as spies.And wouldn’t the kurdish area be a hotbed of american spieing on iran as that those kurds have been the staunchest collaboraters with the americans invaders.Not only is the story nonsensical but the media and the politicians’ complicity with the absurd narrative exposes the manipulation and indoctrination of the public by the media/government collusion.So much for freedom of the press and a free market place of ideas in american media!

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    • Elena2010
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 6:35pm

      @ Rose — then explain your conspiracy theory…

      Then you can tell me why my cousin when he was their age decided to hitchhike fm New York to Cali? Why did he smoke pot and go hotdog skiing, bust his face, drop Quaaludes and sleep it off instead of seeing an ER? He was young and stupid. Luckily, he survived into adulthood and is a productive person today w/a family who loves him dearly.

      Report Post » Elena2010  
    • fitsgibbons
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 6:49pm

      Agreed..

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    • fitsgibbons
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 6:52pm

      I concur..

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    • rose-ellen
      Posted on July 30, 2011 at 7:22pm

      I don‘t get how you can compare being a hippie or playing at being a hippie in 60’s hippie day new york with hitchhiking where there’s a hot war going on and the border nation[iran] is considered an even bifgger enemy then the iraqis we’re fighting? This has nothing to do with being young and stupid. Do you need a visa to go there? When you say you like their landscape and you like hitchhiking it all makes sense to the consulate people?Please

      Report Post »  
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