Iran Accuses 3 U.S. Hikers of Espionage

Unclear if Formal Charges Brought Against Trio Detained in July; Clinton Again Calls for Hikers' Freedom

(CBS/AP)  Last Updated 9:39 a.m. ET

A senior Iranian prosecutor said three Americans detained on the border with Iraq have been accused of espionage.

The three Americans were arrested July 31 after straying over the Iranian border from northern Iraq. The U.S. government and their families say there were on a hiking vacation and crossed accidentally.

Tehran chief prosecutor Abbas Jafari Dowlatabadi said the three "have been accused of espionage" and that investigations were continuing, according to the state news agency IRNA. He said an "opinion (on their case) will be given in the not distant future."

It is not clear from his comments whether formal charges had been made, but such announcements are often a sign that charges are imminent if not already filed. In Iran's opaque judicial system, the process of indictment and trial often takes place behind closed doors.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton again called on Iran to release Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal.

Speaking at a news conference in Berlin, where she is marking the 20-year anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, Clinton said, "We believe strongly that there is no evidence to support any charge whatsoever.

"And we would renew our request on behalf of these three young people and their families that the Iranian government exercise compassion and release them, so they can return home."

Clinton, who met last week with the detained hikers' families at the State Department, said the U.S. would continue to make that case through the Swiss channels who represent U.S. interests in Tehran.

The timing of the announcement from Tehran raised the possibility that Iran was using the case to pressure the United States amid the negotiations over its nuclear program.

Iran is also holding another American, academic Kian Tajbakhsh, who was arrested amid Iran's postelection turmoil and was sentenced last month to 12 years in prison for an alleged role in opposition protests.

In January, Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi was arrested in Tehran, was convicted of espionage, then released on appeal in May. Two months later, U.S. forces in Iraq freed five Iranians who they had been holding for months.

[virginiacbsuser]

After a cursory search at kayak.com, it appears that, not only can one NOT fly from LAX to Baghdad, one cannot fly from Ankara or Damascus to Baghdad. I doubt Americans can just hire a car and drive with large backpacks over the Syrian border into Iraq. So tell me, how EXACTLY do 3 Americans not only decide to go hiking (of all things) in Northern Iraq, but do they GET THERE if they are not working for the CIA?
To get into Iraq through Israel, they would have to cross all of Iraq to get to Iran, so, impossible. The same is true if they entered Iraq through Kuwait, and also through Saudi Arabia, which is even less likely than if they entered through Syria. The only possibility they are just hikers on vacation is if they crossed the mountains in far southeastern Turkey on foot, and then unknowingly hiked through Kurdistan and accidentally got too close to Iran and got caught. As I type that I realize how ridiculous even that scenario is. This is all pretty easily determined by just going to mapquest.com and looking at a map of Iraq.
Really, THEY ARE SPIES. They got caught. They will more than likely be hung out to dry after some obligatory public handwringing by the administration because there's no other way to deal with them. They just look awfully young for spies, but maybe that's because I am getting old.

[edmundsingleton]

Here we go again. Again we have to spend diplomatic capital to free someone who danced to close to the fire. Enough already...

[eyesclosed]

To shakingmyhead - Do you really believe that the world is enraged over the three American hikers? Do you seriously believe that this is the cause of anti-Americanism abroad. I have travelled overseas recently and in my discussions with people, I can tell you that they have sympathy for the plight of the three young hikers. When they complain about the U.S. it usually relates to serious issues ie. economic issues, climate issues, etc.

[shakingmyhead]

I am embarrassed as a U.S. citizen by these three morons. This is a perfect example of why the greater part of the world at large despises Americans.

They need to repay the U.S. Government for the time and money wasted on their behalf.

[taryder]

Is this a joke or what??? A "hiking vacation" on the border of IRAN and IRAQ!! NOBODY is THAT stupid!

Certainly makes one wonder who or what is behind this.

[antoniof123]

Stupidy should be illegal that way these people would be in a US jail instead of an Iranian jail.

[jgg000015]

seriously, who is that dumb to go hiking on the iraq/iran border?
oh, the morons who went hiking on the south/north korea border!

[eyesclosed]

I find it so amusing to see Brianbwb's posts. You must feel good to know that you are the dumbest man alive. You probable have a read a far-left books that expose the U.S. government for many trangressions. Wake up you historical MORON! Every world power in history has engaged in deception, brutality and ruthlessness in attempting to maintain its power. Historically, if you compare the U.S. to most of the previous world powers, we would rank very low in terms of brutality. However, I would assume you have never read any history books of any kind based upon the garbage you wirte on this site.

[ToolMangler1]

He may well be a 'Muslim convert' almost ready to blow like Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan. The more I read his comments, the more he seems to hate America and blame 'Everything' on our troops. He appears to be in denial of any wrong committed by Islamic terrorists.
People whom know him personally might do well to watch him closely..
I can see no other valid reason for such negativity than his race, (which he claims is Black).

[YrStillWrong]

I think that some folks here pure scum, and this is the best they have ever been.

[bubbadubba]

As Moses said in the movie "let my people go!"