US ‘Hikers’ Face Espionage Charges in Iran
White House Demands Release of Detainees
The three US citizens detained in July after illegally crossing the border from Iraqi Kurdistan into Iran have been formally charged with espionage by the Iranian judiciary, according to Iran’s Prosecutor-General.
Initially reported as tourists who strayed across the border, it was later revealed that the three were all freelance journalists, raising speculation they may have been snooping around for stories. If there is any evidence the three engaged in anything more formally espionage related, Iran has not been forthcoming with it.
With the US and Iran currently engaged in very high stakes negotiations over the nation’s nuclear program, it is speculated that the three hiker/journalists have become bargaining chips.
But the White House and US State Department are at least officially oblivious to this possibility, simply demanding that the three be released and insisting that they had done nothing wrong. Whether or not this strategy yields results remains to be seen.
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paulBass
November 10th, 2009 at 6:35 am
lets play the theoretical reversal game.
the united states today has captured 3 iranians claiming to be tourist crossed the Mexican border today. it was latter disclosed that all three were "freelance journalist".
would they not go strait to gitmo?
Jane Doe
November 10th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Not to put to much of a "conspiracy theorist' spin on this but those "hikers" all seem to have ties to Judaism.
I can buy the "freelance journalist" part, but perhaps the Iranians, inundated as they are with real spies and saboteurs, plus non stop threats of a UsRael attack, are a bit touchy at the moment.
paulBass
November 10th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
"Not to put to much of a "conspiracy theorist' spin on this but those "hikers" all seem to have ties to Judaism."
not really much of a conspiracy since its public knowlege that israel is very supportive of Kurdistan, and would they would be capable of operating on their own since they speak the languages.. unlike American soldiers
Geo1671
November 10th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
Thousand times reported-Terrorist Hasan–Palestinian Muslim Al Queada operative
About the three Kosherkids on a field trip?
paulBass
November 10th, 2009 at 2:34 pm
?huh?
T. McGuire
November 10th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
Reporting on this incident seems void of factual information. Who are these young people? Are they Jewish, Islamic or Christians? Why are they in such a dangerous area at this time? Who is paying for their travel? Why are they not in school? Hiking is hardly an excuse for entering a country being sanctioned by the United States. This may be a trip to try and create an incident whereby a book on their experience would make them wealthy. The entire situation stinks.
humanist_xy
November 10th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
“Lets not rush to judgment before examining the evidence”
Apparently as it comes to US related issues the Iranians are very careful, avoiding bogus accusations.
Take the case of Roxana Saberi, The Iranians had the convincing evidence. It is likely that after sentencing her to 8 years a deal was struck behind the scenes. They freed her, weeks later US freed the Iranian diplomats who were arrested in Iraq.
Lets wait and see how this “piece” plays itself out.
Geo1671
November 10th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Re: Paul's ?huh?
Answer:All three are Jewish activists!
Did you miss to read , the referred site up above-"Initially reported as tourists who strayed across the border, it was later revealed that the three were all freelance journalists"
Very informative but author left the Jewish part out- Not fair is it ?
Anti_Govt_Rebel
November 10th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
There is something fishy about these hikers and their hiking trip.
Why would they go into a war zone to take their hike? Even if they "strayed" across the Iranian border they had to have known they were pretty darn close to it.
How do we know they are not really spies? Would it be beyond the CIA to recruit some "hikers" to see what they can find out? Perfectly deniable. Just innocent young students!
Maybe they were part of the multi-million dollars approved by Congress during the previous administration for the purpose of "spreading democracy" or fomenting unreast in Iran.
We just don't know. But my mind is open.
paulBass
November 10th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
oh ok was a little unclear in the thought you it was three separate things