Hikers jailed
August 21, 2011
Iranian state television reported on Saturday that two American hikers, who have been held in Iran for more than two years, have each been sentenced to eight years in prison.
The television reported an unnamed source as saying that Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal were sentenced to three years for illegal entry into Iran and five years for espionage for US intelligence services. The report has not been confirmed by the judiciary.
In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said it was in contact with the Swiss embassy, which represents US interests in Iran.
"We have seen reports that Iranian judicial authorities have sentenced Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal to eight years in prison," said Nuland.
"We are working to confirm these reports and are in contact with the Swiss protecting power to obtain more information."
Bauer and Fattal were arrested along with a third US citizen, Sarah Shourd, in July 2009 when they allegedly crossed the unmarked border while hiking in Iraq's Kurdistan region.
Shourd was released in September due to concerns over her health, after posting $ 500,000 (347,000 euros), which allowed her to return to the United States.
Author: Nicole Goebel (AFP, dpa, Reuters)
Editor: Richard Connor