Iran Charges Hikers with Espionage -- Final Decision Soon
The Iranian Judiciary says the three young Americans arrested in late July while hiking near the country’s border with Iraq have been charged with espionage.
Shane Michael Bauer, Joshua Felix Fattal, and Sarah Emily Shourd were arrested in the western Iranian district of Marivan, at Malakh-Khur border point on July 31.
The three were traveling on Syrian and Iraqi visas and according to Iranian officials, crossed the border illegally.
Meanwhile the families of the detainees maintain that they accidentally crossed the border into Iran while hiking in a scenic area of northern Iraq.
Tehran Prosecutor-General Abbas Jafari-Dolatabadi said the three entered the country to carry out acts of espionage.
"They are charged with espionage. Investigations into the case of the three are underway," IRNA quoted Jafari-Dolatabadi as saying.
He went on to add that the final decision about the detained US citizens would soon be announced.
What a shock, huh?
