Free Republic

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad engineered the release last week of two American hikers serving eight-year prison terms on trumped-up espionage charges. He may have thought the release would make him seem more humane, but the $1 million bail-for-freedom deal makes Tehran look like Somali pirates, grabbing innocent tourists, holding them hostage and then releasing them for ransom. So why did released hiker Shane Bauer say the following upon his release? "Two years in prison is too long, and we sincerely hope for the freedom of other political prisoners and other unjustly imprisoned people in America (emphasis added) and Iran." The...

Two American men already held for two years in Tehran have been sentenced to eight years each in prison on charges of espionage and illegal entry into Iran, state TV reported on Saturday. The announcement appeared to dash hopes for the imminent release of Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal after Iran's foreign minister suggested earlier this month that the trial could clear the way for their freedom. The Americans deny the charges and say they were only hiking in a scenic and largely peaceful area of northern Iraq near the Iranian border. The two men have been held since July...

Three American hikers who have been detained in Iran after crossing into the country from Iraq have been charged with espionage, according to reports by Iran's State News Agency. Shane Bauer, 27, Sarah Shourd, 31, and Josh Fattal, 27, have been detained in Iran since July 31. Their families say they entered the Islamic Republic accidentally while hiking in a scenic area of northern Iraq. The families, who have had no contact with the detainees, released videos in October that showed them dancing and singing before they were captured by Iranian authorities.

Here is a video report on three American hikers that were arrested by Iran over the weekend. Iran is now saying they are "suspicious" that the three are connected to the "American CIA." MSNBC reports the identity of the three as Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd, and Josh Fattal. They were apparently hiking in the mountainous Kurdistan region of Iraq and strayed over the border into Iran where they were arrested. The State Department says they are assisting the families of the three with information. . . . . . (Watch Video)