The Iranian lawyer for three American hikers accused of spying in Iran said
Monday the Tehran government has informed him of the date for his clients' new
court hearing.
Shane Bauer (left) and Josh Fattal during the first session of their trial at
the Tehran
Revolutionary Court in February Free The HiKers
Nearly two years have passed since Iranian authorities
arrested three U.S. hikers on charges of illegally crossing into the country
from Iraq and spying. One of the hikers, Sarah Shourd, was released on bail last
year. The other two hikers, Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer, are still in Iranian
custody.
Masoud Shafiei, the lawyer for the hikers, says Iranian authorities have set the
next court appearance for the three Americans. Shafiei told VOA he received
notification from the Revolutionary Court that the hearing will be on July 31,
the second anniversary of the hikers' arrest.
Shafiei says that although previous judicial documents specifically requested
Shourd's presence in court, Monday's notification did not tell him to ensure she
attends the trial.
Iranian officials delayed the trial in May, when authorities failed to transfer
Fattal and Bauer from prison to court.
Iranian media on Monday announced that the country's Press TV would air what it
called "confessions" from the hikers later this week.
But the hikers' defense attorney says his clients have not confessed to the
charges.
He jokingly said he does not know where Press TV got its information or whether
those at the station are lawyers or judges. He added that he is hopeful the
hikers will be freed.
The families of the hikers say the charges are baseless. U.S. authorities have
repeatedly called for Fattal and Bauer to be released.
