American Hikers Sentenced to 8 Years in Iranian Prison

From left: Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal and Sarah Shourd. Screengrab from Free The Hikers video.

While hiking near the ambiguous border between Iran and Iraq on July 31, 2009, three Americans were arrested in Iran. The two males have been charged with espionage and illegal entry into the country and sentenced to eight years in Iranian prison, reports FishbowlLA.

Shane Bauer, a freelance journalist, and Josh Fattal, an environmentalist, will serve their time without Southern California native Sarah Shourd who was released after 410 days of solitary confinement.

All three hikers are alumni of UC Berkeley. Shourd grew up in Los Angeles and resided in San Francisco post-college. Bauer has penned for the LA Times, the San Francisco Chronicle and the San Francisco Bay Guardian.

Family members of both men released a brief statement on Sunday. Below is an excerpt.

Of the 751 days of Shane and Josh’s imprisonment, yesterday and today have been the most difficult for our families. Shane and Josh are innocent and have never posed any threat to the Islamic Republic of Iran, its government or its people.

A website - Free The Hikers - was built to raise awareness of the captives' wrongful detainment and help bring them home. President Obama said the following:

“I want to be perfectly clear: Sarah, Shane and Josh have never worked for the United States government. They are simply open-minded and adventurous young people who represent the best of America, and of the human spirit. They are teachers, artists, and advocates for social and environmental justice.”

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By Lauren Lloyd in News on August 22, 2011 5:00 PM

Comments [rss]

Marc Levin

Ummm... am I the only one who thinks that 3 kids "hiking near the ambiguous border between Iran and Iraq" is a dumb idea?

Did they think it would be all hugs and kisses from either the native Iraqis or Iranians? These 3 seem to have lacked common sense and almost like it was intended they play to the media to free them. I actually think 8 years is going lite on them.

You are pretty much taking your life into your own hands. Especially if your names are Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal and Sarah Shourd.

Tendernob

Ummm... am I the only one who thinks that 3 kids "hiking near the ambiguous border between Iran and Iraq" is a dumb idea?

Yes, you're the only one who thinks that. At no time did I ever want to shake these idiots by their shoulders and exclaim, "Hey, you know where's NOT a good place to go wandering around? Fucking IRAN!!"

James Bean

"Ummm... am I the only one who thinks that 3 kids "hiking near the ambiguous border between Iran and Iraq" is a dumb idea?"

I thought the same thing.

sygyzy

Completely agree. Part of me thinks people who do things like this are hoping to stir something up. Unfortunately for them, they got more than they bargained for.

The Ugly American

Perhaps if Obama gave the IRI another appeasement pep talk they might listen to reason ...since it obviously worked so well the first time.

destroy_all_humans

Yes, this whole thing is Obama's fault. Great comment! Are you a genius?

The Ugly American

Hmm... I must have missed the part where I stated this whole thing is Obama's fault.

I suppose if I'd stated this whole thing is Bush's fault I'd have 50+ Likes by now.

But go on honey ...you're doing great.

Next time I'll use /sarcasm/ so you don't get confused.

James Bean

I thought everything was Obama's fault!

Two wars, the national debt, the market meltdown, the housing meltdown, being in hock to China, world hunger, global warming, starving polar bears, the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. Geeze, what ever happened to parroting the tea party mantra!

The Ugly American

You forgot the BP Oil Disaster.

/sarcasm/

James Bean

I still love how Republicans thought we should apologize for our wetlands and sensitive ecological areas getting in the way of THEIR oil spill.

/anger/

destroy_all_humans

it was when you insinuated his attempt to defuse the situation years ago failed and maybe he should try failing again at negotiating with a psychopath. So I guess your original statement was beyond your comprehension, I am sorry for thinking you are a genius.