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Iran puts three Americans on trial for spying
[The Nation (Nairobi)] An Iranian revolutionary court put three Americans on trial on Sunday on charges of spying, more than 18 months after their arrest on the unmarked border with Iraq while on a hiking trip.The prosecution of Sarah Shourd, Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal comes at a time when anti-American rhetoric is at fever pitch in Iran as it marks the anniversary of its 1979 Islamic revolution on February 11. State news agency IRNA said the trial was being held in a closed session and authorities barred the Swiss ambassador Livia Leu Agosti -- whose mission represents US interests in Iran -- was barred from attending the proceedings. "I was not invited to the court and it was my decision to come. So far the authorities have not allowed me in," Ms Agosti was quoted as saying by IRNA. Repeated pleas Iran has dismissed repeated pleas from the United States for the release of Mr Bauer and Fattal after it allowed Ms Shourd to return home on bail of around 500,000 dollars last September after more than a year in detention. Ms Agosti confirmed Ms Shourd was not attending the trial. "This was her personal decision and I have no information why she is not in the court," she said. Ms Shourd, her fiance Bauer with whom she got engaged in an Iranian prison, and fellow hiker Fattal say they innocently strayed into Iran from across the unmarked border with northern Iraq when they were jugged on July 31, 2009 by Iranian authorities. Posted by: Fred 2011-02-07 |
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