Global General

Iran to continue trial of US hikers in weeks

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-04-12 17:26

TEHRAN - Iran's Prosecutor General and Judiciary Spokesman Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejeii announced that Tehran would continue trial of the three detained US nationals in weeks, the semi-official Fars news agency reported on Tuesday.

Speaking to the reporters, Ejeii said "As decided by the court, the trial of the two nationals will be held in Ordibehesht (April 21-May 21)," said the report.

In March, Tehran province Judiciary Chief Ali-Reza Avaie said Iran will hold another hearing session for three detained US hikers on May 11.

In February, an Iranian court held a close-door trial of three detained Americans Josh Fattal, Shane Bauer and Sarah Shourd, who were arrested in Iran on July 31, 2009 for illegally entering Iran 's western border and were later charged with espionage.

The female US hiker Sarah Shourd once jailed in Iran with the other two Americans and released by Tehran's prosecutor in September on bail of US $500,000 due to her health situation did not appear in February court. Lawyer of the three Americans said Shourd had prepared defense.

The US government considered the charges totally unfounded.