Big names urge Iran to free American hikers
Nearly 80 prominent people from around the world appealed Wednesday for the release of three American hikers who have been detained in Iran for more than four months.
Shane Bauer, a freelance journalist, Sarah Shourd, a teacher and women’s rights advocate, and Josh Fattal, an environmentalist, were arrested July 31 while on a hike in Iraqi Kurdistan.
They apparently were detained after accidently crossing a poorly marked section of border with Iran.
The Islamic Republic charged the three hikers with espionage last month and Tehran’s chief public prosecutor has said the judiciary will decide their fate.
Under Iran’s Islamic law, espionage can be punishable by death.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said “there is no evidence to support any charge whatsoever” against the youths.
The prominent collection of academics, intellectuals, artists, adventurers, writers, journalists and activists, urged Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to make good on his pledge to pursue maximum leniency for the three.
