blank

Voice of America ®

Trusted Source of News & Information since 1942

About VOA | Contact VOA News

  • Saturday, 21 November 2009
  • Latest News:

News RSS Feeds RSS Feed

Iran Charges 3 US Detainees with Espionage

Share This

Iran's official news agency, IRNA, reports three detained U.S. citizens have been charged with espionage.

Tehran's general prosecutor, Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi, said Monday a final decision about the detainees would soon be announced. He added that investigations are continuing.

The three Americans were detained on July 31 for entering Iran illegally, after they apparently strayed across the border while on a hike in northern Iraq.

Speaking in Berlin Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Washington believes there is no evidence to support any charge whatsoever. She again appealed to Iranian authorities to exercise compassion and release the trio.

Last week, the detainees' families said Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal have had two consular visits with Swiss diplomats at Evin prison in Tehran. The first visit was in September and the second was last Thursday. Switzerland represents U.S. interests in Iran.

The families say the hikers are in good physical shape.

Welcome to the new VOANews.com


We'd like to hear what you think of the site - please e-mail us: VOANews@VOANews.com

Video Features

From the Newsroom

From the Newsroom

Afghan Politics - Analysis by Gary Thomas

More »

GoingGreen

Going Green

Watch: The United States debates cutting its carbon dioxide emissions.

More »

Money in Motion

Money in Motion

Watch: Will the declining dollar remain the world's reserve currency?

More »

Now You Know

Now You Know

Watch: A look at the origin and history of the Internet.

More »

The Link

The Link

Have you discovered a Web link you'd like to share with the world?

More »

Special Reports

VOA Blogs

Most E-mailed Articles