ID :
198236
Sat, 07/30/2011 - 15:40
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/198236
The shortlink copeid
Iran to Resume Trial of Detained US Nationals Tomorrow
TEHRAN (FNA)- The trial of the three US nationals who were arrested by Iran in July 2009 after crossing Iran-Iraq borders illegally is scheduled to be resumed tomorrow.
Their lawyer, Massoud Shafiee, announced on Saturday that the next trial session of the three US nationals will be held on July 31, 2011.
The next trial session will be held in Tehran's Revolution Court on Sunday, July 31, Shafiee was quoted by the Iranian students news agency as saying.
"Tomorrow's trial session coincides with the anniversary of the day when the defendants were arrested two years ago," Shafiee said, expressing hope that the US nationals would be released based on "Islamic compassion" as the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan is drawing close.
Shane Bauer, Joshua Fattal and Sarah Shourd were arrested in July 2009 after illegally crossing the border into Iran from the mountains of northern Iraq's Kurdistan region.
They were later charged with espionage after Tehran prosecutor's office announced that it possessed "compelling evidence" indicating that the three Americans were cooperating with US intelligence agencies.
Iran released Shourd on a bail of $500,000 in September 2010, 14 months after her arrest. The decision was taken due to the detainee's health condition.
Their lawyer, Massoud Shafiee, announced on Saturday that the next trial session of the three US nationals will be held on July 31, 2011.
The next trial session will be held in Tehran's Revolution Court on Sunday, July 31, Shafiee was quoted by the Iranian students news agency as saying.
"Tomorrow's trial session coincides with the anniversary of the day when the defendants were arrested two years ago," Shafiee said, expressing hope that the US nationals would be released based on "Islamic compassion" as the beginning of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan is drawing close.
Shane Bauer, Joshua Fattal and Sarah Shourd were arrested in July 2009 after illegally crossing the border into Iran from the mountains of northern Iraq's Kurdistan region.
They were later charged with espionage after Tehran prosecutor's office announced that it possessed "compelling evidence" indicating that the three Americans were cooperating with US intelligence agencies.
Iran released Shourd on a bail of $500,000 in September 2010, 14 months after her arrest. The decision was taken due to the detainee's health condition.
