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Iran Allows Swiss Envoys Visit With Detained Hikers

Policy reversal may be gesture of goodwill ahead of nuclear talks

By Nick McMaster, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 29, 2009 4:10 PM CDT

(Newser) – Iran has changed its policy on three detained US hikers, allowing Swiss diplomats—who represent American interests in Iran—to visit them. Officials have been denied access to the three Americans since they were detained in July after crossing the border from Iraqi Kurdistan into... Read full story »

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Politics • Crime & Courts • US • World

Iraq • Iran • United Nations • Tehran • Kurdistan • Switzerland • United States • detainee • UN Security Council • hikers • Shane Bauer • Sarah Shourd • Josh Fattal

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Iran OKs Visit by Moms of Detained US Hikers

But Tehran has made promises in the past

(NEWSER) - Iran will allow the mothers of the three American hikers who have been in custody for nearly a year to visit their children. Tehran has ordered its UN mission to issue visas for the three moms, the AP reports, but no date has been has been set. Iran has told the families before that they would receive visas and then failed to deliver. More»

Iran Accuses American Hikers of Espionage

Opinion on 3 arrested in July 'in the not distant future:' prosecutor

(AP) - The three American hikers detained by Iran in July have been accused of espionage, a senior Iranian prosecutor says. The three, who the US maintains were on a hiking vacation in Iraq when they accidentally strayed across the poorly-marked border, "have been accused" and the investigation is ongoing, he says, adding that an "opinion will be given in the not distant future." More»

Hikers Back on US Soil

Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal land in New York on long-awaited return home

(NEWSER) - After a wait of more than two years, Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal are back on US soil. The pair, best known as stray hikers imprisoned in Iran, touched down at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York today at 11am EDT on the first leg of their long-awaited return to the United States, reports the AP . Bauer and Fattal departed Oman last night with gratitude for their hosts, saying, "We hope to someday return to this wonderful country, but for now we are eager to go home at last." More»

US Hikers' Lawyer: We'll Appeal

Hillary Clinton calls for their immediate release

(NEWSER) - Iran is attracting some attention after it sentenced American hikers Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal to eight years in prison yesterday. The duo's lawyer is vowing an appeal, saying, "I will use entire legal capacity to defend them." He has 20 days to do so, and the AP notes that sentences in such cases are often reduced significantly on appeal. The case of Sarah Shourd, the third hiker detained who was released on bail last year, "is still open and will be tried in absentia," says the chief prosecutor. More»

Iran May Release Hikers: Lawyer

Says Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal may be freed tomorrow

(AP) - The lawyer for two Americans jailed in Iran on charges of espionage says his clients could be released after a court hearing slated for tomorrow. Masoud Shafiei said today the fact that the session in the trial of Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal would coincide with the second anniversary of their arrest may indicate that they will be freed. There also is a tradition in the Muslim world of pardoning prisoners for the holy month of Ramadan, which starts early next week. More»

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Iran Allows Swiss Envoys Visit With Detained Hikers

Policy reversal may be gesture of goodwill ahead of nuclear talks

Iraq • Iran • United Nations • Tehran • Kurdistan • Switzerland • United States • detainee • UN Security Council • hikers • Shane Bauer • Sarah Shourd • Josh Fattal

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More Newser Stories

Iran OKs Visit by Moms of Detained US Hikers

But Tehran has made promises in the past

Iran Accuses American Hikers of Espionage

Opinion on 3 arrested in July 'in the not distant future:' prosecutor

Hikers Back on US Soil

Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal land in New York on long-awaited return home

US Hikers' Lawyer: We'll Appeal

Hillary Clinton calls for their immediate release

Iran May Release Hikers: Lawyer

Says Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal may be freed tomorrow

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