(Image Source: Payvand)
BY ANTHONY MARTINEZ
In a developing story-- two American hikers detained in Iran have reportedly been sentenced to eight years in prison -- for spying.
American Hikers Shane Bauer (Bower) and Josh Fattal (fuht-all) wandered into Iran back in '09 and were detained for alleged espionage. (ABC News)
"The two men, along with an American woman were arrested in Iranian territory close to the border of Northern Iraq's cornerstone region. All three were first accused of illegal entry into Iran but were later charged with espionage. On the Iranian law that can be punished with the death penalty."
The female hiker - Sarah Shourd - was later released for half a million dollars bail. Her companions were tried under the controversial Revolutionary Court of Iran. Both Bauer and Fattal just say - they were in the wrong place - at the wrong time. CBS reports...
“The Americans say they mistakenly crossed into Iran when they stepped off a dirt road while hiking near a waterfall. While other parts of Iraq remain troubled by violence, the semiautonomous Kurdish north has drawn tourists in recent years, including foreigners...”
But Slate’s Slatest thinks the two left behind might be able to follow in the footsteps of Shourd- soon perhaps.
“Some in Iran had suggested that the trial itself might open the door for the two men to return home, considering they have already served two years in custody and a conviction of illegal entry could deliver a sentence already served. Others suggested a pardon during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan was possible.”
Still, a writer for the American Thinker says -- don’t hold your breath.
“Entirely predictable. And now we await the magnanimous gesture by the fanatics in Tehran of releasing these poor kids who have already spent two years in an Iranian prison... They are de facto hostages, of course, and because of that, I would expect that date to slip.”
The Los Angeles Times reports-- the attorney for the two men says he has not received official word on their sentencing.
