Iran To Release Detained American Hikers

Richard · 09-13-2011, 05:50

3 Americans = $1.5M...the Iranian economic stimulus package.

And so it goes...

Richard

Iran Will Reportedly Release 2 Jailed Americans
NYT, 13 Sep 2011

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran has said two American hikers jailed for espionage in his country last month will be freed within “two days,” NBC reported on Tuesday, citing an exclusive interview with the Iranian leader.

The two, Shane M. Bauer and Joshua F. Fattal, both 29, were sentenced to eight years in jail last month on the charges, which they deny. The Americans have already spent two years in a Tehran prison after being arrested near the border with Iraqi Kurdistan in July 2009.

An attorney for the Americans was quoted by The Associated Press as saying they would be freed after the payment of $500,000 bail each.

A third hiker, Sarah E. Shourd, was released on $500,000 bail in September 2010, and returned to the United States.

(cont'd)

rdret1 · 09-13-2011, 06:46

They have obviously found a way for national fund raising.

BrokenSwitch · 09-13-2011, 08:10

I have half a mind to wonder whether their capture was an attempt to cause an international incident. Their biographies were fun to read: 3 UC-Berkeley grads living in Damascus, Syria. Their jobs? Journalists.

http://freethehikers.org/about-the-h...-sarah-shourd/

http://freethehikers.org/about-the-h...t-shane-bauer/

http://freethehikers.org/about-the-h...t-josh-fattal/

Quote:

Bauer, Shourd, and Fattal were graduates of the University of California at Berkeley and were well known in the antiwar movement in the Bay Area.

Quote:

On moving to Syria in 2008, Shourd and Bauer chose to live in a Palestinian refugee camp and engage in Palestine solidarity work. When Israeli occupation forces shot their friend, Anderson, in the head during a nonviolent protest in the West Bank, they went to visit him in an Israeli hospital, just three weeks before their kidnapping.

SOURCE: http://www.zcommunications.org/irani...-stephen-zunes

**Pete** · 09-13-2011, 10:19

I'm just wondering where those hug the world folks came up with $500,000 each?

Maybe some evil capitalist? Government maybe? Family? Must be nice.

Iraqgunz · 09-13-2011, 16:13

I would also like to know who is footing the bill for the bail. Something tells me it is the American taxpayers.

greenberetTFS · 09-13-2011, 16:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrokenSwitch

I have half a mind to wonder whether their capture was an attempt to cause an international incident. Their biographies were fun to read: 3 UC-Berkeley grads living in Damascus, Syria. Their jobs? Journalists.

http://freethehikers.org/about-the-h...-sarah-shourd/

http://freethehikers.org/about-the-h...t-shane-bauer/

http://freethehikers.org/about-the-h...t-josh-fattal/

SOURCE: http://www.zcommunications.org/irani...-stephen-zunes

I don't think so,their just stupid assholes!..........

Big Teddy

Dozer523 · 09-13-2011, 21:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenberetTFS

I don't think so,their just stupid assholes!..........

Big Teddy

Big Teddy, I'm with you! They should be made to work it off picking up trash at Yosemite.
Maybe we'll get lucky and they cross a bear.

PSM · 09-13-2011, 22:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dozer523

Big Teddy, I'm with you! They should be made to work it off picking up trash at Yosemite.
Maybe we'll get lucky and they cross a bear.

Not Yosemite, it's too purdy.

How about Death Valley.

Pat

Richard · 09-14-2011, 07:14

Not so fast say the theocratic heads of Iran...

The Iranian judiciary on Wednesday contradicted an assurance by Iran‘s president that two Americans arrested two years ago while hiking the Iran-Iraq frontier and imprisoned on espionage charges would be freed within two days as a humanitarian gesture, state media reported.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad disclosed the plan on Tuesday in a move that seemed timed to portray him more favorably before he attends the United Nations General Assembly meeting next week. But the subsequent announcement by the judiciary could prove deeply embarrassing, showing the limits of his power and, given the swirling factional politics within the Iranian elite. highlighting frictions between Mr. Ahmadinejad and the conservatives who control the judiciary.

Specifically, the apparent conflict over the Americans’ legal status could reflect a worsening rift between Mr. Ahmadinejad and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the nation’s spiritual leader and highest authority, who is closely allied to the court.

On Wednesday, state media reported that, in the words of the English-language Press TV satellite broadcaster, “Iran’s judiciary has refuted recent media reports on the imminent release of two American nationals that were convicted of committing espionage against the Islamic Republic for the U.S. government.”

(cont'd)

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/15/wo..._r=1&ref=world

And so it goes...

Richard

Guy · 09-14-2011, 07:36

"It ain't over til the fat lady sings...."

Stay safe.

BOfH · 09-14-2011, 09:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete

I'm just wondering where those hug the world folks came up with $500,000 each?

Maybe some evil capitalist? Government maybe? Family? Must be nice.

I wonder how time in an Iranian prison will affect their "huggable" view of the world, and who they think the aggressor is now compared to when they started their "touchy-feely" middle eastern field trip...