Iran To Release One Of Three Detained U.S. Hikers

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Iran To Release One Of Three Detained U.S. Hikers

Last updated (GMT/UTC): 10.09.2010 09:26
By RFE/RL

Iranian officials say the Islamic republic will "soon" release Sarah Shourd, one of three U.S. hikers who have been detained by Iran for more than one year.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast said the exact date of Shourd's release was still being discussed.

"With regard to Islamic compassion and the auspicious occasion of Eid al-Fitr, it was decided to release the lady soon so that she can rejoin her family," Mehmanparast said. "The exact date and details of the release are still being discussed and will be announced later once we have made the decision."

Other officials had indicated she could be released as early as September 11.

Shourd has reportedly been suffering from a number of health problems during her confinement in Tehran's Evin prison.

The announcement that one hiker would be released on September 11 was first made in text messages sent on September 9 to reporters by Iran's Ministry of Culture, which said the decision was made to coincide with Eid al-Fitr. The holiday, celebrated by Muslims around the world, marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. It is common practice for Muslim governments to recognize the holiday by showing clemency and releasing prisoners.

The message said, "Offering congratulations on Eid al-Fitr, the release of one of the detained Americans will be [on] Saturday, 9 a.m."

Reza Shiravi, the head of the foreign media office at the ministry, confirmed that he had sent the message. The ministry usually uses text messages to inform the media or invite it for any news events to be reported.

"Obviously, if this turns out to be true, this is terrific news," said U.S. State Department deputy spokesman Mark Toner, noting that the United States could not yet confirm the upcoming release. "The hikers' release is long overdue and I would just stress that we hope that it's all three hikers [that are released]," he added.

In an interview with RFE/RL's Radio Farda conducted before the diplomat's announcement, Massoud Shafii, the lawyer representing the hikers, said, "I have demanded [the release of the hikers]," adding, "I hope that at least Sarah Shourd will be released. "

Shourd, along with Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal, were detained by Iranian authorities on July 31, 2009, near the Iran-Iraq border. The three U.S. citizens say they accidentally strayed onto Iranian soil during a hiking trip in the mountains of Iraqi Kurdistan. Iran accuses them of illegally entering the country and of espionage.

Their case has further complicated relations between Tehran and Washington, already deadlocked over Iran's controversial nuclear program, which the West says is aimed at developing nuclear weapons.

Accused Of Espionage

The hikers have not been formally charged, but Tehran previously announced plans to put them on trial. Under the country's Islamic law, the charge of espionage can be punishable by death.

Iranian Intelligence Minister Haidar Moslehi has said the government had proof that the three Americans had links to intelligence services. Last month he said the investigation into spying allegations was nearing completion.

In February, Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad said that the three U.S. citizens might be swapped for the release of Iranians jailed in the United States.

The news of the possible release comes after repeated calls by State Department officials to release the hikers on humanitarian grounds.

At a July 13 press conference, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said: "Iran continues to hold three young Americans against their will. And we reiterate our request that they be released and allowed to return to their families on a humanitarian basis."

On July 31, the first anniversary of the hikers' detention, U.S. President Barack Obama issued a written statement saying that the three had never worked for the U.S. government, had committed "absolutely no crime," and had never had a quarrel with the Iranian government.

He described the hikers, who are aged between 27 and 31, as "simply open-minded and adventurous young people who represent the best of America, and of the human spirit."

The release is expected to take place at the Estaghlal Hotel near Tehran's notorious Evin prison, where the three hikers are being held. In a highly publicized May trip, the hikers' mothers were allowed to visit their children at the same hotel.

The mothers released a statement to the media today that said they "hope and pray that the reports are true and that this signals the end of all three of our children's long and difficult detention."

with agency material and reporting by Radio Farda's Hossein Ghavimi

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/Reports_Iran_To_Release_One_Of_Three_Detained_US_Hikers/2153494.html

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Iran To Release One Of Three Detained U.S. Hikers