September 15th, 2011
05:24 AM ET

Hikers' release in Iran not expected until weekend, lawyer says

[Updated at 7:02 a.m.] A lawyer for two American hikers imprisoned in Iran said he has filed all the necessary paperwork for them to be released on bail, but he does next expect judges to act on it before Saturday, he told CNN Thursday.

Attorney Masoud Shafiee said he hoped a decision would be made then - after the Iranian weekend - but said he was "not privy to what goes on behind the scenes."

He said earlier this week that he expects Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer to be freed after $500,000 bail is paid for each of them, but the Iranian judiciary said later that it was only considering the bail request.

The two Americans have been convicted of spying and sentenced to eight years in prison.

On Wednesday, an Omani plane was en route to Tehran carrying an Omani official who will be working on any negotiation, a Western diplomat told CNN.

But it was not clear whether the hikers would be free to leave, the source said.

Fattal and Bauer have been held for more than two years. They and a third hiker, Sarah Shourd, were arrested July 31, 2009, after apparently straying across an unmarked border between Iraq and Iran while hiking in northern Iraq's Kurdish region.

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Filed under: Iran
soundoff (13 Responses)
  1. simin a

    Good luck to both of them and thir family

    September 15, 2011 at 6:35 am | Report abuse |
  2. Insight

    Can you keep your mouth shut until they are released?

    September 15, 2011 at 6:36 am | Report abuse |
  3. simin a

    good luck to them and their family .

    September 15, 2011 at 6:39 am | Report abuse |
  4. simin a

    Good luck to american hikers and their family .

    September 15, 2011 at 6:44 am | Report abuse |
  5. Don

    When the gov. give you warning not to go to these places and you still go. Have a extended visit for eight years.

    September 15, 2011 at 7:14 am | Report abuse |
  6. Bimbo the Birthday Clown

    I've said it before and I'll say it again: Iran probably kidnapped them from the other side of the border, and now they are getting their ransom payment.

    September 15, 2011 at 11:50 am | Report abuse |
  7. NYYFAN1

    I say release the hikers and TAKE OUT MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD IN AN ASSASSINATION PLOT !! This "Adolf Hitler" sympathizer needs to get what's coming to him !!!!!

    September 15, 2011 at 1:53 pm | Report abuse |
  8. Andreas Moser

    After my own experience in an Iranian prison (http://andreasmoser.wordpress.com/2009/07/30/reports-about-my-trip-to-iran-in-junejuly-2009/), I wouldn't believe anything about a release until it really happens and until you have safely left the country.

    September 15, 2011 at 2:28 pm | Report abuse |
  9. Don

    Iran, Iraq,Afghan,Pakistan, you go there,you go there something happen,Don,Yvette it is your fault to put yourselfar risk.

    September 16, 2011 at 1:21 am | Report abuse |
  10. Fungo McBain

    Why anyone, let alone an American citizen, would be stupid enough to go hiking 'in the 'middle-east' is beyond comprehension. They should have been kept in jail for another 3 years ! American arrogance or just youthful stupidity ?

    September 21, 2011 at 4:54 pm | Report abuse |
  11. Tailynn

    I'm impressed by your writing. Are you a professional or just very knowelgdealbe?

    October 19, 2011 at 11:36 pm | Report abuse |
  12. qllfgymy

    9ycvwB xwboyvvswkeh

    October 20, 2011 at 10:00 am | Report abuse |
  13. gupmnq

    vslEER jwemddekssoz

    October 22, 2011 at 8:59 am | Report abuse |
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