By Alyxandra Stanczak
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East
TEHRAN, Iran – An American accused of spying and illegally entering the country last year when she crossed over the Iraq-Iran boundary by accident while hiking with her friends is set to be released on bail. Sarah Shourd, a 32 year old teacher from California, has been detained for thirteen months along with her traveling partners, Joshua Fattal and Shane Bauer. Shourd’s bail has been set at $500,000 and has been offered due to severe health conditions she is suffering. All three hikers are being held at Tehran’s Evin prison.
Shourd’s bail was negotiated through the Swiss embassy, who handle all diplomatic relations between the United States and Iran.
Even though Shourd has been allowed to leave Iran upon setting bail, she is still set to stand trial and is expected to return to the country when the trial occurs. Prosecutor Abbas Jafari-Dolatabadi has told reporters that there is enough evidence to find the three hikers guilty of spying. The United States has denied these allegations. Jafari-Dolatabadi also stated that there is more than enough reason to accuse the three hikers of espionage.
The judicial branch has almost completed their case against the three hikers and has prepared an indictment.
Iranian political experts have commented on the odd turn this case has taken. Iran’s judiciary is independent and is not as subject to other parts of the oligarchy to political influence. Ghanbar Naderi, an Iranian political analyst, said there is “Obviously there is some kind of miscommunication between these two bodies.” This statement comes in light of the fact that Shourd’s expected release date was pushed back to this coming weekend, instead of the end of Ramadan.
Iran-United States relations have been strained recently because of Iran’s pursuit of uranium enrichment. Though Iran denies the enrichment program is for military use and claims it is simply to provide nuclear energy, the United States is adverse to the entire process. The goodwill shown on Iran’s part by releasing Shourd and possibly, as Naderi speculates, the other two hikers will possibly serve to ease rising political tensions between the two countries.
For more information, please see:
Al Jazeera – Iran to release US woman on bail – 12 September 2010
The Guardian – Iran demands $500,000 to free US hiker Sarah Shourd – 12 September 2010
Los Angeles Times – Iran: American hiker Sarah Shourd may be released; bail set – 12 September 2010
