The families of three Americans charged with espionage in Iran after straying over the border from northern Iraq in July said on Sunday they have secured an Iranian lawyer to try to get them released. Iran's judiciary has announced espionage charges against Shane Bauer, 27, Sarah Shourd, 31, and Josh Fattal, 27.
-- Families say innocent hikers strayed across border
-- Detained Americans secure 'proper legal representation'
-- Iran prepares espionage case against the three Americans
Their families say they were hiking during a vacation in Iraq and crossed the border accidentally. Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki has said they "entered Iran with suspicious aims."
Independent Iranian lawyer Masoud Shafii will represent Bauer, Shourd and Fattal and work for their release, the families of the three Americans said in an e-mailed statement. Iran has said they will stand trial.
"We continue to hope that the Iranian authorities will release Shane, Sarah and Josh on humanitarian grounds without further delay or any need for a trial," the families said.
But given their situation, "it is essential for our loved ones to have proper legal representation and we are pleased that Mr. Shafii has agreed to work on their behalf," the families said. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has called Iran's case against the three Americans "totally unfounded." Their detention has complicated relations between Iran and the United States that were already tense over Iran's nuclear program.
Under Iran's Islamic law, sharia, espionage can be punishable by death.
Bauer, Shourd and Fattal are being held at Evin Prison in Tehran and have not been allowed to make telephone calls to their relatives, the families said. "We are also increasingly concerned about their state of mind after almost five months of isolation. Their lack of contact with us and the persistent uncertainty are deeply distressing, especially in light of earlier indications that the case would be handled expeditiously," the families said.