NEW
YORK (AP) — Two Americans held for more than two years in an Iranian
prison on accusations of spying returned to the U.S. on Sunday, ending a
diplomatic ordeal that began with
what they called a wrong turn into the wrong country.
Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer arrived at Kennedy Airport in New York City at about 11 a.m.
The
two were released from prison last week. They arrived Wednesday in Oman
under a $1 million bail deal and were embraced by relatives.
They
were detained along with fellow hiker Sarah Shourd in July 2009 along
the Iran-Iraq border. They say they were only hiking in Iraq's
relatively peaceful Kurdish region and may have wrongly ended up in
Iran.
Before
boarding
the plane in the Omani capital of Muscat on Saturday night, the men
made brief statements and thanked Oman's ruler for helping secure their
release.
"We hope to someday return to this wonderful country, but for now we are eager to go home at last," Fattal told reporters.
Bauer said he won't forget the feeling of seeing their loved ones waiting for them in Oman.
"The joy of embracing them all after so long will stay with us forever," he said.
A
furious diplomatic effort led to the release of Shourd
about a year ago, and negotiations continued for the two men. Last
month, Fattal and Bauer were sentenced to eight years in prison each for
illegal entry into Iran and espionage.
The
first hint of change in the case came last week when Iranian President
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Fattal and Bauer could be released within days.
But wrangling from within the country's leadership delayed efforts.
Iranian defense attorney Masoud Shafiei secured the necessary judicial
approval Wednesday for the bail — $500,000 for each man.
Hours
later, the gates of Tehran's Evin prison opened and the Americans
headed in a convoy with diplomats to Tehran's Mehrabad airport.
Iran's Foreign Ministry called their release a gesture of Islamic mercy.
Until
their release, the last previous direct contact family members had with
Bauer and Fattal was in May 2010, when their mothers were permitted a
short visit in Tehran, which Iranian officials used for high-profile
propaganda.
Since
her release last year, Shourd has lived in Oakland, Calif. Bauer, a
freelance journalist, grew up in Onamia, Minn., and Fattal, an
environmental activist, is from Elkins Park, Pa., a Philadelphia suburb.
Bauer proposed marriage to Shourd while they
were in jail.
Three hikers, Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal
and Sarah Shourd were arrested by Iranian forces in July 2009 near the
unmarked border with Kurdistan, a semi-autonomous region of northern
Iraq, on suspicion of spying .
Photo 1:
hikers, Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal
Photo 1:
Shane Bauer (R), one of the U.S. hikers who was held in Iran on
charges of espionage, kisses fiancee Sarah Shourd as his father Al Bauer
looks on upon his arrival in Muscat after his release from Tehran's
Evin prison, September 21, 2011. Three hikers, Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal
and Sarah Shourd were arrested by Iranian forces in July 2009 near the
unmarked border with Kurdistan, a semi-autonomous region of northern
Iraq, on suspicion of spying .
Photo 2:
Photo 2:
-
Josh
Fattal (R), one of the U.S. hikers who was held in Iran on charges of
espionage, hugs his father Jacob and brother Alex (C) upon arrival in
Muscat after their release from Tehran's Evin prison, September 21,
2011. Three hikers, Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal and Sarah Shourd were
arrested by Iranian forces in July 2009 near the unmarked border with
Kurdistan, a semi-autonomous region of northern Iraq, on suspicion of
spying after crossing into Iran from Iraq. Bauer's fiance Sarah Shourd,
was released in September 2010 after 410 days in solitary confinement.
REUTERS/Jumana El Heloueh (OMAN - Tags: CRIME LAW POLITICS
Photo 3:

Shane
Bauer (C) , one of the U.S. hikers who was held in Iran on charges of
espionage, hugs fiance Sarah Shourd (R) upon his arrival in Muscat after
his release from Tehran's Evin prison, September 21, 2011. Three
hikers, Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal and Sarah Shourd were arrested by
Iranian forces in July 2009 near the unmarked border with Kurdistan, a
semi-autonomous region of northern Iraq, on suspicion of spying after
crossing into Iran from Iraq. Bauer's fiance Sarah Shourd, was released
in September 2010 after 410 days in solitary confinement. REUTERS/Jumana
El Heloueh (OMAN - Tags: CRIME LAW POLITICS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)
Photo 4:
Josh
Fattal (L), one of the U.S. hikers who was held in Iran on charges of
espionage, stands with his parents Jacob and Laura Fattal and brother
Alex during their arrival in Muscat after his release from Tehran's Evin
prison, September 21, 2011. Three hikers, Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal and
Sarah Shourd were arrested by Iranian forces in July 2009 near the
unmarked border with Kurdistan, a semi-autonomous region of northern
Iraq, on suspicion of spying after crossing into Iran from Iraq. Bauer's
fiance Sarah Shourd, was released in September 2010 after 410 days in
solitary confinement. REUTERS/Sultan Al Hasani (OMAN - Tags: CRIME LAW
POLITICS)
Photo 5:
Josh
Fattal (C - back to camera), one of the U.S. hikers who was held in
Iran on charges of espionage, hugs his father Jacob (L) and brother Alex
during his arrival in Muscat after their release from Tehran's Evin
prison, September 21, 2011. Three hikers, Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal and
Sarah Shourd were arrested by Iranian forces in July 2009 near the
unmarked border with Kurdistan, a semi-autonomous region of northern
Iraq, on suspicion of spying after crossing into Iran from Iraq. Bauer's
fiance Sarah Shourd, was released in September 2010 after 410 days in
solitary confinement. REUTERS/Sultan Al Hasani (OMAN - Tags: CRIME LAW
POLITICS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)
Photo 6:
Josh
Fattal (L), one of the U.S. hikers who was held in Iran on charges of
espionage, is surrounded by his family, upon his arrival in Muscat after
he was released with Shane Bauer from Tehran's Evin prison, September
21, 2011. REUTERS/Jumana El Heloueh
Photo 7:
Shane Bauer (C) , one of the U.S. hikers who was held in Iran on charges of espionage, is greeted by a relative and fiance Sarah Shourd (R) upon his arrival in Muscat after his release from Tehran's Evin prison, September 21, 2011. REUTERS/Jumana El Heloueh
Photo 8:
Sarah Shourd (L), Laura Fattal (2nd L) and relatives wave to Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer, U.S. hikers who were held in Iran on charges of espionage, during their arrival in Muscat, after their release from Tehran's Evin prison, September 21, 2011. REUTERS/Jumana El Heloueh
Photo 9:

Shane Bauer (C) , one of the U.S. hikers who was held in Iran on charges of espionage, hugs fiance Sarah Shourd (R) upon his arrival in Muscat after his release from Tehran's Evin prison, September 21, 2011. Three hikers, Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal and Sarah Shourd were arrested by Iranian forces in July 2009 near the unmarked border with Kurdistan, a semi-autonomous region of northern Iraq, on suspicion of spying after crossing into Iran from Iraq. Bauer's fiance Sarah Shourd, was released in September 2010 after 410 days in solitary confinement. REUTERS/Jumana El Heloueh (OMAN - Tags: CRIME LAW POLITICS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)
Photo 10:
Shane
Bauer (R) and Josh Fattal (L), U.S. hikers who were held in Iran on
charges of espionage, arrive in Muscat after their release from Tehran's
Evin prison, September 21, 2011. Three hikers, Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal
and Sarah Shourd were arrested by Iranian forces in July 2009 near the
unmarked border with Kurdistan, a semi-autonomous region of northern
Iraq, on suspicion of spying after crossing into Iran from Iraq. Bauer's
fiance Sarah Shourd, was released in September 2010 after 410 days in
solitary confinement. REUTERS/Jumana El Heloueh (OMAN - Tags: CRIME LAW
POLITICS)
less
Photo 11:
Shane
Bauer (R) and Josh Fattal (L), U.S. hikers who were held in Iran on
charges of espionage, arrive in Muscat after their release from Tehran's
Evin prison, September 21, 2011. Three hikers, Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal
and Sarah Shourd were arrested by Iranian forces in July 2009 near the
unmarked border with Kurdistan, a semi-autonomous region of northern
Iraq, on suspicion of spying after crossing into Iran from Iraq. Bauer's
fiance Sarah Shourd, was released in September 2010 after 410 days in
solitary confinement. REUTERS/Jumana El Heloueh (OMAN - Tags: CRIME LAW
POLITICS)
Photo 12:
Shane Bauer (C) , one of the U.S.
hikers who was held in Iran on charges of espionage, is greeted by a
relative and fiance Sarah Shourd (R) upon his arrival in Muscat after
his release from Tehran's Evin prison, September 21, 2011. Three hikers,
Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal and Sarah Shourd were arrested by Iranian
forces in July 2009 near the unmarked border with Kurdistan, a
semi-autonomous region of northern Iraq, on suspicion of spying after
crossing into Iran from Iraq. Bauer's fiance Sarah Shourd, was released
in September 2010 after 410 days in solitary confinement. REUTERS/Jumana
El Heloueh (OMAN - Tags: CRIME LAW POLITICS)
Photo 13:
Josh
Fattal (L), one of the U.S. hikers who was held in Iran on charges of
espionage, hugs his brother Alex upon his arrival in Muscat after the
release from Tehran's Evin prison, September 21, 2011. Three hikers,
Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal and Sarah Shourd were arrested by Iranian
forces in July 2009 near the unmarked border with Kurdistan, a
semi-autonomous region of northern Iraq, on suspicion of spying after
crossing into Iran from Iraq. Bauer's fiance Sarah Shourd, was released
in September 2010 after 410 days in solitary confinement. REUTERS/Jumana
El Heloueh (OMAN - Tags: CRIME LAW POLITICS)
less
Photo 14:
Shane Bauer (R), one of the U.S. hikers who was held in Iran on
charges of espionage, hugs a relative as he smiles at fiancee Sarah
Shourd upon his arrival in Muscat after his release from Tehran's Evin
prison, September 21, 2011. REUTERS/Sultan Al Hasani
Photo 15:
Josh Fattal (2nd L - back to camera) and Shane Bauer (R), U.S.
hikers who were held in Iran on charges of espionage, are greeted by
their families upon arrival in Muscat after their release from Tehran's
Evin prison, September 21, 2011. REUTERS/Sultan Al Hasani
Photo 16:
Shane Bauer (R), one of the U.S. hikers who was held in Iran on
charges of espionage, kisses fiancee Sarah Shourd as his father Al Bauer
looks on upon his arrival in Muscat after his release from Tehran's
Evin prison, September 21, 2011. REUTERS/Sultan Al Hasani
Photo 17:
Freed American Shane Bauer, center is welcomed upon his arrival from
Iran, in Muscat, Oman Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2011. After more than two
years in Iranian custody, two Americans convicted as spies took their
first steps toward home Wednesday as they bounded down from a private
jet and into the arms of family for a joyful reunion in the Gulf state
of Oman. (AP Photo/Sultan Al-Hasani)
Photo 18:
Freed American Shane Bauer, center, and Josh Fattal, right, talk to the media upon their arrival from Iran, in Muscat, Oman Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2011. After more than two years in Iranian custody, two Americans convicted as spies took their first steps toward home Wednesday as they bounded down from a private jet and into the arms of family for a joyful reunion in the Gulf state of Oman. (AP Photo/Sultan Al-Hasani)
Photo 19:
Freed American Shane Bauer, center, meets his father Al Bauer as his
fiance Sarah Shourd looks on upon his arrival from Iran, in Muscat,
Oman Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2011. After more than two years in Iranian
custody, two Americans convicted as spies took their first steps toward
home Wednesday as they bounded down from a private jet and into the arms
of family for a joyful reunion in the Gulf state of Oman. (AP
Photo/Sultan Al-Hasani)
Photo 20:
Freed American Shane Bauer, center, meets his relatives and friends
upon his arrival from Iran, in Muscat, Oman Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2011.
After more than two years in Iranian custody, two Americans convicted as
spies took their first steps toward home Wednesday as they bounded down
from a private jet and into the arms of family for a joyful reunion in
the Gulf state of Oman. (AP Photo/Sultan Al-Hasani)
Photo 21:

Freed American Shane Bauer is welcomed upon his arrival from Iran,
in Muscat, Oman Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2011. After more than two years in
Iranian custody, two Americans convicted as spies took their first steps
toward home Wednesday as they bounded down from a private jet and into
the arms of family for a joyful reunion in the Gulf state of Oman. (AP
Photo/Sultan Al-Hasani)
Photo 22:

Shane
Bauer and Josh Fattal, U.S. hikers who were held in Iran on charges of
espionage, are greeted by their during their arrival in Muscat after
their release from Tehran's Evin prison, September 21, 2011. Three
hikers, Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal and Sarah Shourd were arrested by
Iranian forces in July 2009 near the unmarked border with Kurdistan, a
semi-autonomous region of northern Iraq, on suspicion of spying after
crossing into Iran from Iraq. Bauer's fiancee Sarah Shourd, was released
in September 2010 after 410 days in solitary confinement.
REUTERS/Sultan Al Hasani (OMAN - Tags: CRIME LAW POLITICS)
less
Photo 23:

Jacob and Laura Fattal, Sarah
Shourd and relatives wave to Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer, U.S. hikers
who were held in Iran on charges of espionage, during their arrival in
Muscat, after their release from Tehran's Evin prison, September 21,
2011. Three hikers, Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal and Sarah Shourd were
arrested by Iranian forces in July 2009 near the unmarked border with
Kurdistan, a semi-autonomous region of northern Iraq, on suspicion of
spying after crossing into Iran from Iraq. Bauer's fiancee Sarah Shourd,
was released in September 2010 after 410 days in solitary confinement.
REUTERS/Sultan Al Hasani (OMAN - Tags: CRIME LAW SOCIETY POLITICS)
Photo 24:

Shane Bauer (5th L) and Josh
Fattal (2nd L), U.S. hikers who were held in Iran on charges of
espionage, are greeted by their during their arrival in Muscat after
their release from Tehran's Evin prison, September 21, 2011. Three
hikers, Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal and Sarah Shourd were arrested by
Iranian forces in July 2009 near the unmarked border with Kurdistan, a
semi-autonomous region of northern Iraq, on suspicion of spying after
crossing into Iran from Iraq. Bauer's fiancee Sarah Shourd, was released
in September 2010 after 410 days in solitary confinement.
REUTERS/Sultan Al Hasani (OMAN - Tags: CRIME LAW POLITICS SOCIETY)
Photo 25:

-
-
Sarah Shourd, left, Josh Fattal, center and Shane Bauer, right, are seen before leaving …
Freed Americans Shane Bauer, left, Josh Fattal, center, and Sarah Shourd, right, …
2 hikers released from Iranian prison return to US
NEW
YORK (AP) — Two Americans held for more than two years in an Iranian
prison on accusations of spying returned to the U.S. on Sunday, ending a
diplomatic ordeal that began with
what they called a wrong turn into the wrong country.
Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer arrived at Kennedy Airport in New York City at about 11 a.m.
The
two were released from prison last week. They arrived Wednesday in Oman
under a $1 million bail deal and were embraced by relatives.
They
were detained along with fellow hiker Sarah Shourd in July 2009 along
the Iran-Iraq border. They say they were only hiking in Iraq's
relatively peaceful Kurdish region and may have wrongly ended up in
Iran.
Before
boarding
the plane in the Omani capital of Muscat on Saturday night, the men
made brief statements and thanked Oman's ruler for helping secure their
release.
"We hope to someday return to this wonderful country, but for now we are eager to go home at last," Fattal told reporters.
Bauer said he won't forget the feeling of seeing their loved ones waiting for them in Oman.
"The joy of embracing them all after so long will stay with us forever," he said.
A
furious diplomatic effort led to the release of Shourd
about a year ago, and negotiations continued for the two men. Last
month, Fattal and Bauer were sentenced to eight years in prison each for
illegal entry into Iran and espionage.
The
first hint of change in the case came last week when Iranian President
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Fattal and Bauer could be released within days.
But wrangling from within the country's leadership delayed efforts.
Iranian defense attorney Masoud Shafiei secured the necessary judicial
approval Wednesday for the bail — $500,000 for each man.
Hours
later, the gates of Tehran's Evin prison opened and the Americans
headed in a convoy with diplomats to Tehran's Mehrabad airport.
Iran's Foreign Ministry called their release a gesture of Islamic mercy.
Until
their release, the last previous direct contact family members had with
Bauer and Fattal was in May 2010, when their mothers were permitted a
short visit in Tehran, which Iranian officials used for high-profile
propaganda.
Since
her release last year, Shourd has lived in Oakland, Calif. Bauer, a
freelance journalist, grew up in Onamia, Minn., and Fattal, an
environmental activist, is from Elkins Park, Pa., a Philadelphia suburb.
Bauer proposed marriage to Shourd while they
were in jail.
Three hikers, Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal
and Sarah Shourd were arrested by Iranian forces in July 2009 near the
unmarked border with Kurdistan, a semi-autonomous region of northern
Iraq, on suspicion of spying .
Photo 1:
hikers, Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal
Photo 1:
Shane Bauer (R), one of the U.S. hikers who was held in Iran on
charges of espionage, kisses fiancee Sarah Shourd as his father Al Bauer
looks on upon his arrival in Muscat after his release from Tehran's
Evin prison, September 21, 2011. Three hikers, Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal
and Sarah Shourd were arrested by Iranian forces in July 2009 near the
unmarked border with Kurdistan, a semi-autonomous region of northern
Iraq, on suspicion of spying .
Photo 2:
Photo 2:
-
Josh
Fattal (R), one of the U.S. hikers who was held in Iran on charges of
espionage, hugs his father Jacob and brother Alex (C) upon arrival in
Muscat after their release from Tehran's Evin prison, September 21,
2011. Three hikers, Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal and Sarah Shourd were
arrested by Iranian forces in July 2009 near the unmarked border with
Kurdistan, a semi-autonomous region of northern Iraq, on suspicion of
spying after crossing into Iran from Iraq. Bauer's fiance Sarah Shourd,
was released in September 2010 after 410 days in solitary confinement.
REUTERS/Jumana El Heloueh (OMAN - Tags: CRIME LAW POLITICS
Photo 3:

Shane
Bauer (C) , one of the U.S. hikers who was held in Iran on charges of
espionage, hugs fiance Sarah Shourd (R) upon his arrival in Muscat after
his release from Tehran's Evin prison, September 21, 2011. Three
hikers, Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal and Sarah Shourd were arrested by
Iranian forces in July 2009 near the unmarked border with Kurdistan, a
semi-autonomous region of northern Iraq, on suspicion of spying after
crossing into Iran from Iraq. Bauer's fiance Sarah Shourd, was released
in September 2010 after 410 days in solitary confinement. REUTERS/Jumana
El Heloueh (OMAN - Tags: CRIME LAW POLITICS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)
Photo 4:
Josh
Fattal (L), one of the U.S. hikers who was held in Iran on charges of
espionage, stands with his parents Jacob and Laura Fattal and brother
Alex during their arrival in Muscat after his release from Tehran's Evin
prison, September 21, 2011. Three hikers, Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal and
Sarah Shourd were arrested by Iranian forces in July 2009 near the
unmarked border with Kurdistan, a semi-autonomous region of northern
Iraq, on suspicion of spying after crossing into Iran from Iraq. Bauer's
fiance Sarah Shourd, was released in September 2010 after 410 days in
solitary confinement. REUTERS/Sultan Al Hasani (OMAN - Tags: CRIME LAW
POLITICS)
Photo 5:
Josh
Fattal (C - back to camera), one of the U.S. hikers who was held in
Iran on charges of espionage, hugs his father Jacob (L) and brother Alex
during his arrival in Muscat after their release from Tehran's Evin
prison, September 21, 2011. Three hikers, Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal and
Sarah Shourd were arrested by Iranian forces in July 2009 near the
unmarked border with Kurdistan, a semi-autonomous region of northern
Iraq, on suspicion of spying after crossing into Iran from Iraq. Bauer's
fiance Sarah Shourd, was released in September 2010 after 410 days in
solitary confinement. REUTERS/Sultan Al Hasani (OMAN - Tags: CRIME LAW
POLITICS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)
Photo 6:
Josh
Fattal (L), one of the U.S. hikers who was held in Iran on charges of
espionage, is surrounded by his family, upon his arrival in Muscat after
he was released with Shane Bauer from Tehran's Evin prison, September
21, 2011. REUTERS/Jumana El Heloueh
Photo 7:
Shane Bauer (C) , one of the U.S. hikers who was held in Iran on charges
of espionage, is greeted by a relative and fiance Sarah Shourd (R) upon
his arrival in Muscat after his release from Tehran's Evin prison,
September 21, 2011. REUTERS/Jumana El Heloueh
Photo 8:
Sarah Shourd (L), Laura Fattal (2nd L) and relatives wave to Josh Fattal
and Shane Bauer, U.S. hikers who were held in Iran on charges of
espionage, during their arrival in Muscat, after their release from
Tehran's Evin prison, September 21, 2011. REUTERS/Jumana El Heloueh
Photo 9:

Shane Bauer (C) , one of the U.S. hikers who was held in Iran on
charges of espionage, hugs fiance Sarah Shourd (R) upon his arrival in
Muscat after his release from Tehran's Evin prison, September 21, 2011.
Three hikers, Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal and Sarah Shourd were arrested by
Iranian forces in July 2009 near the unmarked border with Kurdistan, a
semi-autonomous region of northern Iraq, on suspicion of spying after
crossing into Iran from Iraq. Bauer's fiance Sarah Shourd, was released
in September 2010 after 410 days in solitary confinement. REUTERS/Jumana
El Heloueh (OMAN - Tags: CRIME LAW POLITICS TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)
Photo 10:
Shane
Bauer (R) and Josh Fattal (L), U.S. hikers who were held in Iran on
charges of espionage, arrive in Muscat after their release from Tehran's
Evin prison, September 21, 2011. Three hikers, Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal
and Sarah Shourd were arrested by Iranian forces in July 2009 near the
unmarked border with Kurdistan, a semi-autonomous region of northern
Iraq, on suspicion of spying after crossing into Iran from Iraq. Bauer's
fiance Sarah Shourd, was released in September 2010 after 410 days in
solitary confinement. REUTERS/Jumana El Heloueh (OMAN - Tags: CRIME LAW
POLITICS)
less
Photo 11:
Shane
Bauer (R) and Josh Fattal (L), U.S. hikers who were held in Iran on
charges of espionage, arrive in Muscat after their release from Tehran's
Evin prison, September 21, 2011. Three hikers, Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal
and Sarah Shourd were arrested by Iranian forces in July 2009 near the
unmarked border with Kurdistan, a semi-autonomous region of northern
Iraq, on suspicion of spying after crossing into Iran from Iraq. Bauer's
fiance Sarah Shourd, was released in September 2010 after 410 days in
solitary confinement. REUTERS/Jumana El Heloueh (OMAN - Tags: CRIME LAW
POLITICS)
Photo 12:
Shane Bauer (C) , one of the U.S.
hikers who was held in Iran on charges of espionage, is greeted by a
relative and fiance Sarah Shourd (R) upon his arrival in Muscat after
his release from Tehran's Evin prison, September 21, 2011. Three hikers,
Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal and Sarah Shourd were arrested by Iranian
forces in July 2009 near the unmarked border with Kurdistan, a
semi-autonomous region of northern Iraq, on suspicion of spying after
crossing into Iran from Iraq. Bauer's fiance Sarah Shourd, was released
in September 2010 after 410 days in solitary confinement. REUTERS/Jumana
El Heloueh (OMAN - Tags: CRIME LAW POLITICS)
Photo 13:
Josh
Fattal (L), one of the U.S. hikers who was held in Iran on charges of
espionage, hugs his brother Alex upon his arrival in Muscat after the
release from Tehran's Evin prison, September 21, 2011. Three hikers,
Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal and Sarah Shourd were arrested by Iranian
forces in July 2009 near the unmarked border with Kurdistan, a
semi-autonomous region of northern Iraq, on suspicion of spying after
crossing into Iran from Iraq. Bauer's fiance Sarah Shourd, was released
in September 2010 after 410 days in solitary confinement. REUTERS/Jumana
El Heloueh (OMAN - Tags: CRIME LAW POLITICS)
less
Photo 14:
Shane Bauer (R), one of the U.S. hikers who was held in Iran on
charges of espionage, hugs a relative as he smiles at fiancee Sarah
Shourd upon his arrival in Muscat after his release from Tehran's Evin
prison, September 21, 2011. REUTERS/Sultan Al Hasani
Photo 15:
Josh Fattal (2nd L - back to camera) and Shane Bauer (R), U.S.
hikers who were held in Iran on charges of espionage, are greeted by
their families upon arrival in Muscat after their release from Tehran's
Evin prison, September 21, 2011. REUTERS/Sultan Al Hasani
Photo 16:
Shane Bauer (R), one of the U.S. hikers who was held in Iran on
charges of espionage, kisses fiancee Sarah Shourd as his father Al Bauer
looks on upon his arrival in Muscat after his release from Tehran's
Evin prison, September 21, 2011. REUTERS/Sultan Al Hasani
Photo 17:
Freed American Shane Bauer, center is welcomed upon his arrival from
Iran, in Muscat, Oman Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2011. After more than two
years in Iranian custody, two Americans convicted as spies took their
first steps toward home Wednesday as they bounded down from a private
jet and into the arms of family for a joyful reunion in the Gulf state
of Oman. (AP Photo/Sultan Al-Hasani)
Photo 18:
Freed American Shane Bauer, center, and Josh Fattal, right, talk to the
media upon their arrival from Iran, in Muscat, Oman Wednesday, Sept.
21, 2011. After more than two years in Iranian custody, two Americans
convicted as spies took their first steps toward home Wednesday as they
bounded down from a private jet and into the arms of family for a joyful
reunion in the Gulf state of Oman. (AP Photo/Sultan Al-Hasani)
Photo 19:
Freed American Shane Bauer, center, meets his father Al Bauer as his
fiance Sarah Shourd looks on upon his arrival from Iran, in Muscat,
Oman Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2011. After more than two years in Iranian
custody, two Americans convicted as spies took their first steps toward
home Wednesday as they bounded down from a private jet and into the arms
of family for a joyful reunion in the Gulf state of Oman. (AP
Photo/Sultan Al-Hasani)
Photo 20:
Freed American Shane Bauer, center, meets his relatives and friends
upon his arrival from Iran, in Muscat, Oman Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2011.
After more than two years in Iranian custody, two Americans convicted as
spies took their first steps toward home Wednesday as they bounded down
from a private jet and into the arms of family for a joyful reunion in
the Gulf state of Oman. (AP Photo/Sultan Al-Hasani)
Photo 21:

Freed American Shane Bauer is welcomed upon his arrival from Iran,
in Muscat, Oman Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2011. After more than two years in
Iranian custody, two Americans convicted as spies took their first steps
toward home Wednesday as they bounded down from a private jet and into
the arms of family for a joyful reunion in the Gulf state of Oman. (AP
Photo/Sultan Al-Hasani)
Photo 22:

Shane
Bauer and Josh Fattal, U.S. hikers who were held in Iran on charges of
espionage, are greeted by their during their arrival in Muscat after
their release from Tehran's Evin prison, September 21, 2011. Three
hikers, Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal and Sarah Shourd were arrested by
Iranian forces in July 2009 near the unmarked border with Kurdistan, a
semi-autonomous region of northern Iraq, on suspicion of spying after
crossing into Iran from Iraq. Bauer's fiancee Sarah Shourd, was released
in September 2010 after 410 days in solitary confinement.
REUTERS/Sultan Al Hasani (OMAN - Tags: CRIME LAW POLITICS)
less
Photo 23:

Jacob and Laura Fattal, Sarah
Shourd and relatives wave to Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer, U.S. hikers
who were held in Iran on charges of espionage, during their arrival in
Muscat, after their release from Tehran's Evin prison, September 21,
2011. Three hikers, Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal and Sarah Shourd were
arrested by Iranian forces in July 2009 near the unmarked border with
Kurdistan, a semi-autonomous region of northern Iraq, on suspicion of
spying after crossing into Iran from Iraq. Bauer's fiancee Sarah Shourd,
was released in September 2010 after 410 days in solitary confinement.
REUTERS/Sultan Al Hasani (OMAN - Tags: CRIME LAW SOCIETY POLITICS)
Photo 24:

Shane Bauer (5th L) and Josh
Fattal (2nd L), U.S. hikers who were held in Iran on charges of
espionage, are greeted by their during their arrival in Muscat after
their release from Tehran's Evin prison, September 21, 2011. Three
hikers, Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal and Sarah Shourd were arrested by
Iranian forces in July 2009 near the unmarked border with Kurdistan, a
semi-autonomous region of northern Iraq, on suspicion of spying after
crossing into Iran from Iraq. Bauer's fiancee Sarah Shourd, was released
in September 2010 after 410 days in solitary confinement.
REUTERS/Sultan Al Hasani (OMAN - Tags: CRIME LAW POLITICS SOCIETY)
Photo 25:

Shane
Bauer (C), one of the U.S. hikers who was held in Iran on charges of
espionage, cries as he hugs fiancee Sarah Shourd(R) upon his arrival in
Muscat after his release from Tehran's Evin prison, September 21, 2011.
Three hikers, Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal and Sarah Shourd were arrested by
Iranian forces in July 2009 near the unmarked border with Kurdistan, a
semi-autonomous region of northern Iraq, on suspicion of spying after
crossing into Iran from Iraq. Bauer's fiancee Sarah Shourd, was released
in September 2010 after 410 days in solitary confinement.
REUTERS/Jumana El Heloueh (OMAN - Tags: CRIME LAW POLITICS SOCIETY)
less
Photo 26:

Shane
Bauer (C), one of the U.S. hikers who was held in Iran on charges of
espionage, cries as he hugs fiancee Sarah Shourd(R) upon his arrival in
Muscat after his release from Tehran's Evin prison, September 21, 2011.
Three hikers, Shane Bauer, Josh Fattal and Sarah Shourd were arrested by
Iranian forces in July 2009 near the unmarked border with Kurdistan, a
semi-autonomous region of northern Iraq, on suspicion of spying after
crossing into Iran from Iraq. Bauer's fiancee Sarah Shourd, was released
in September 2010 after 410 days in solitary confinement.
REUTERS/Jumana El Heloueh (OMAN - Tags: CRIME LAW POLITICS SOCIETY)
less
Photo 27:
American
hikers Shane Bauer (3rd R) and Josh Fattal (2nd R) walk with an Omani
delegation at Tehran's Mehrabad airport before flying to Oman September
21, 2011. U.S. President Barack Obama said on Wednesday that he was
"thrilled" that Iran had released two U.S. men jailed for spying.
REUTERS/Ehsan Naderipour/IRNA (IRAN - Tags: POLITICS CRIME LAW TPX
IMAGES OF THE DAY) FOR EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NOT FOR SALE FOR MARKETING OR
ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS
less
Photo 28:
American hikers Shane Bauer (R) and Josh Fattal (C) sit in Tehran's
Mehrabad airport before leaving Iran for Oman September 21, 2011.
REUTERS/Ehsan Naderipour/IRNA
Photo 29:
American hikers Shane Bauer (R) and Josh Fattal (C) sit with Swiss
Ambassador Livia Leu Agosti in Tehran's Mehrabad airport before leaving
Iran for Oman September 21, 2011. REUTERS/Ehsan Naderipour/IRNA
Families of 2 men freed from Iran prison overjoyed
AP – Wed, Sep 21, 2011
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The families of two Americans freed from an Iranian prison are calling today the best day of their lives.
Shane
Bauer and Josh Fattal (fuh-TAHL') were driven out of a prison in Tehran
on Wednesday, nearly 26 months after being arrested near the Iraq-Iran
border.
They were convicted of espionage and sentenced to eight years in prison but were freed on bail.
Their
families and Sarah Shourd (shord), who was arrested with the men but
freed earlier, were in Oman to meet the men. They said in a statement
that their joy and relief "knows no bounds" and they are looking forward
to a new beginning.
The families also thanked people around the world for supporting the men's release.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
TEHRAN,
Iran (AP) — Two Americans jailed in Iran as spies left Tehran on
Wednesday bound for the Gulf state of Oman, closing a high-profile drama
with archfoe Washington that brought more than two years of hope then
heartbreak for the families.
In
the end, however, Iran's clerics opted for a near mirror image of last
year's release of a third American captured with the other two — opening
the doors of Tehran's Evin prison in exchange of $500,00 bail each
while Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was preparing for the
spotlight in New York for the U.N.'s annual gathering of world leaders.
Although
the fate of Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal gripped America, it was on the
periphery of the larger showdowns between Washington and Tehran that
include Iran's nuclear program and its ambitions to widen military and
political influence in the Middle East and beyond. But — for a moment at
the United Nations at least — U.S. officials and rights group may be
adding words of thanks in addition to their calls for alarm over Iran.
Iran's
state news agency IRNA said Bauer and Fattal left Iran just as darkness
fell in the capital Tehran. The fast-moving final steps — from the gray
prison gates to Tehran's urban Mehrabad airport in a diplomatic convoy —
came after a week of mixed signals and political brinksmanship within
Iran's leadership.
It began last week with Ahmadinejad promising
their release within days. But then came the voice of the hard-line
ruling clerics, who have waged a stinging campaign against the president
and his allies in recent months as part of power struggle.
The
clerics' appeared to be sending a message that only they have the power
to set the timing and ground rules to release the men, who were detained
along with friend Sarah Shourd along the Iran-Iraq border in July 2009.
The three strongly denied the charges of espionage and said they were
merely hikers in Iraq's relatively peaceful Kurdistan region who
wandered close to Iran's border.
An Omani official told The
Associated Press the men were flying to the capital, Muscat. He added
that family members are in Muscat to be reunited with Bauer and Fattal.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not
authorized to speak to the media. He did not say how long the two men
will stay in the Gulf state before heading home to America.
This
was the same route followed by last September by Shourd, who received a
marriage proposal from Bauer while in prison. Oman has close relations
with Tehran and Washington and has acted as mediator in the releases and
the apparent transfer of the bail money because of U.S. economic
sanctions on Iran. Oman plays a strategic role in the region by sharing
control with Iran of the Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Persian
Gulf, which is the route for 40 percent of the world's oil tanker
traffic.
In one possible parting shot by Iran, the release came
just minutes before President Barack Obama addressed the U.N. General
Assembly. There was no direct evidence that Iran timed the American's
freedom to overshadow Obama's speech, but Iran has conducted
international political stagecraft in the past.
Most famously,
Iran waited until just moments after Ronald Reagan's presidential
inauguration in January 1981 to free 52 American hostages held for 444
days at the former U.S. Embassy after it was stormed by militants
backing Iran's Islamic Revolution. The timing was seen as a way to
embarrass ex-President Jimmy Carter for his backing of Iran's former
monarch.
Associated Press reporters saw a convoy of vehicles with
Swiss and Omani diplomats leaving Evin prison bound for Mehrabad
airport, which is near Tehran's massive Azadi Square. The site is used
for military parades but also was a temporary hub for protesters after
Ahmadinejad's disputed re-election in 2009.
Switzerland represents
American interests in Iran because the U.S. has no diplomatic relations
with Tehran since after the storming of the embassy.
"I have
finished the job that I had to do as their lawyer," said their defense
attorney Masoud Shafiei. He obtained signatures of two judges on a
bail-for-freedom deal. A $1 million bail — $500,000 for each one — was
posted.
Though the release eases one point of tension between Iran and the U.S., major conflicts still persist.
Washington
and European allies worry Iran is using its civilian nuclear program as
cover to develop atomic weapons and have urged for even stronger
sanctions to pressure Tehran. Iran denies any efforts to make nuclear
weapons. Iran, in turn, is deeply concerned about the U.S. military on
its borders in Iraq and Afghanistan, and sharply denounces U.S.
influence in the Middle East.
Bauer and Fattal, both 29, were sentenced last month to eight years each in prison.
The London-based rights group Amnesty International called the release of the Americans a "long overdue step."
"Iranian
authorities have finally seen sense" and have agreed to release Shane
Bauer and Josh Fattal, said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Amnesty International
Deputy Director for Middle East and North Africa. "They must now be
allowed to leave Iran promptly to be reunited with their families."
The
three Americans — friends from their days at the University of
California at Berkeley — have maintained their innocence and denied the
espionage charges against them.
Their families and the U.S.
government said they were just hiking in northern Iraq's scenic and
relatively peaceful Kurdish region when they may have accidentally
strayed over the unmarked border with Iran.
The last direct
contact family members had with Bauer and Fattal was in May 2010 when
their mothers were permitted a short visit in Tehran.
It was not clear where the two men will be reunited with their families after their release.
Phone messages left for Fattal's mother and brother in Philadelphia were not immediately returned Wednesday.
Since
her release last year, Shourd has lived in Oakland, Calif. Bauer, a
freelance journalist, grew up in Onamia, Minn., and Fattal, an
environmental activist, is from suburban Philadelphia.
Last
week, Oman again dispatched a plane belonging to the Gulf country's
ruler to the Iranian capital to fetch the two men if the
freedom-for-bail was reached.
Their
case of the three Americans closely parallels that of freelance
journalist Roxana Saberi, an Iranian-American who convicted of spying
before being released in May 2009. Saberi was sentenced to eight years
in prison, but an appeals court reduced that to a two-year suspended
sentence and let her return to the U.S.