Two American hikers who were detained by the Iranian regime on July 31, 2009 while they were enjoying a recreational hike in the mountains of Iraqi Kurdistan were sentenced to prison for espionage and illegal entry.
Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal, both 28, were sentenced to 8 years in prison by the regime today.
Shane Bauer (left) and Josh Fattal in a Tehran court in February (RFERL)
Sky News reported:
Two American hikers who were detained by Iran have been sentenced to eight years in prison on charges of "illegal entry" and "espionage", state TV has said.
Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal, both 28, were arrested along with Sarah Shourd on the unmarked border between Iran and Iraq in July 2009. The trio had claimed they were hiking in Iraq's northern province of Kurdistan when they innocently strayed into the Islamic republic.
They have pleaded not guilty to spying charges. Shourd, 32, was being tried in her absence after she returned to the US.
It looks like the two young Americans will be in Iran for a while longer. At least until after the 2012 election.
