American hiker released from Iranian prison, state media reports

[Roland99]

Source: CNN

Tehran, Iran (CNN) -- Sarah Shourd, one of three American hikers detained for more than a year in Iran, has been released from prison, state-run Press TV reported Tuesday.

Attorney Massoud Shafii, who is representing the hikers, had said everything was in place for Shourd's release once bail of $500,000 was submitted to the Iranian judiciary.

Shourd, 32; Shane Bauer, 28; and Josh Fattal, 28, were detained July 31, 2009, after they allegedly strayed across an unmarked border into Iran while hiking in Iraq's Kurdistan region.

...

A judge decided to allow Shourd to be released on bail because of her medical condition, the official Islamic Republic News Agency reported Sunday, citing Tehran Prosecutor General Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/09/14/iran.detained.american/

[Ian David]

1. This is probably negatively impacting American tourism along the popular Hiking Trail of Death. n/t

[Bragi]

5. I'm thinking of northern Nigeria instead /nt

[Ian David]

11. Lovely foliage in Somalia this time of year. n/t

[Robb]

18. And free camping on the beaches. nt

[Jim__]

2. If true, that's good news! - n/t

[earthside]

3. Spies.

I personally believe that these three absolutely are U.S. operatives.

Why else would any American be wandering around the Kurdish-Iranian border?

I mean, really.

[AngryAmish]

4. Maybe because they are clueless assholes?

Being a clueless asshole does not mean a year in prison, tho.

Honestly, think about the stupidest person you know from college. These people are them.

[earthside]

6. Not college kids.

These folks are 32, 28 and 28 years old.

What I find interesting is that a lot of Americans wouldn't think that these three were spies.

If 'we' have no "official" problem with killing innocent wedding parties in Afghanistan with drone missiles, why would 'we' have any problem with sending spies into Iran?

It seems pretty obvious to me that these people were spies and they got caught ... and now we are seeing the game of trading between the U.S. and Iranian governments to get them released.

[RZM]

7. Do you have any evidence?

Or are you just going with your gut? I find it more likely than not that these three are not US intelligence operatives, though of course I have no way of knowing for sure. It seems unlikely though. There are far more Americans with poor judgment and tendencies toward reckless behavior than there are on the payroll of the intelligence services. You say we are seeing the 'game of trading,' but do you have any evidence to support your claim, such as concessions or releases of Iranian operatives in US custody?

[Bragi]

8. I'm also sceptical

It really isn't all that difficult to get into Iran. I suspect most spies arrive on airplanes. Entering via remote hiking trails seems a stretch.

Also, wouldn't any U.S spies in Iran likely be of Iranian enthnicity?

[RZM]

9. I was thinking the same thing

about their ethnic/linguistic background, though I do not know the identity of these three people so I don't have enough information. But if none of them has a Middle Eastern/Caucasus/Central Asian background and/or heavy training in the Azerbaijani or Persian languages, I would say their chances of being spies are close to zero. That being said, even if any of them do sport these characteristics, it certainly doesn't mean they are spies, though that would increase the likelihood in my mind.

[Ian David]

12. Skeptical is usually spelled with a "K." n/t

[Bragi]

15. Not here in Kanada... /nt

:)

[AngryAmish]

14. No evidence. Just the belief that there are a lot of clueless people in the world.

[RaleighNCDUer]

10. And just what kind of spying could three backpackers in the middle

of nowhere accomplish?

You think she would not have stood out ANYWHERE she went in Iran? If you want to act as a spy you have to be completely inconspicuous, or have a sound, official reason for being where you are. Either be invisible, or be someone else. Valerie Plame never did her job hiking around the wilderness - she had a solid, unassailable cover as a business woman. These guys didn't even try to pass themselves off as archeologists, or botanists, or any other kind of scientists who might have a reason to be there. Their 'cover'? "We went for a walk and got lost, and no, we have nothing to prove we are who we say we are."

If they ARE spies they are certainly the most inept, incompetent spies I've ever heard of.

[EFerrari]

13. Why would spies be out in the middle of nowhere?

What could they possible want out in the brush? I don't put much past the "intelligence" community but even they aren't that stupid.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

17. There are all sorts of people who think.....

.....wandering around the world with no clue or perception of safety and boundaries is fun and exciting. There are a lot right here on DU. It's dumb as hell, but when you're bored and living off daddy's trust fund you can do it.

[hamsterjill]

16. Happy that one is released.

Now, let's get the other two out.

[Poll_Blind]

19. Glad she's out. Glad our gov't didn't pay the $500k. She and her friends are idiots. Big time.

The world is a dangerous place and sometimes it seems like only an American would pay good money to hike in the Country In Which They Will Most-Likely Be Beheaded and go sightseeing on the border of the Country Which Will Most Likely Imprison Them As Spies Forever.

I would laud as a genius a drunkard who climbs into the black bear exhibit at the zoo, before them.

PB