Iran denies decision made over jailed US 'spy' hikers

Gerald · 09-14-11, 06:41 AM

Iran has denied a decision has been made about the release of two US hikers jailed for spying, officials say.

Iran's English language Press TV quoted an official as saying the two Americans, Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal, would stay in prison "a bit longer".

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had announced on Tuesday that the two would be freed in "a couple of days".

They were arrested in 2009 and sentenced to eight years in prison on espionage charges last year.

They claimed that they strayed into Iran accidentally while hiking near the border with Iraq.

"While denying [the] release of two Americans accused of espionage, the public relations of the judiciary announces that the request of the lawyer to post bail and free them is being studied by the case's judge," said a statement posted on the judiciary website on Wednesday.

"Any information in this regard will be issued by the judiciary and any release of information from other sources is not valid," it added.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14911608

Note: 14 September 2011 Last updated at 09:32 GMT

09-14-11, 06:41 AM	#1
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Iran denies decision made over jailed US 'spy' hikers Iran has denied a decision has been made about the release of two US hikers jailed for spying, officials say. Iran's English language Press TV quoted an official as saying the two Americans, Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal, would stay in prison "a bit longer". President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad had announced on Tuesday that the two would be freed in "a couple of days". They were arrested in 2009 and sentenced to eight years in prison on espionage charges last year. They claimed that they strayed into Iran accidentally while hiking near the border with Iraq. "While denying [the] release of two Americans accused of espionage, the public relations of the judiciary announces that the request of the lawyer to post bail and free them is being studied by the case's judge," said a statement posted on the judiciary website on Wednesday. "Any information in this regard will be issued by the judiciary and any release of information from other sources is not valid," it added. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-14911608 Note: 14 September 2011 Last updated at 09:32 GMT __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie