The lawyer for three young Americans accused by Tehran of spying says he has not seen two men, who are still being held in Iran, since September, RFE/RL's Radio Farda reports.
The three -- Sarah Shourd, Shane Bauer, and Josh Fattal -- were arrested more than a year ago along the Iraqi border. They said they mistakenly crossed into Iran during a hiking vacation.
Masud Shafie told RFE/RL on November 22 that he last saw Bauer and Fattal on the day in mid-September that Shourd was released on bail and returned to the United States.
"But since the case was referred to the court, the judge of the case, unfortunately, has not let me see Josh and Shane. I have to see them to prepare the defense, but this has not happened yet,” Shafie said.
Shafie said the trial for the trio is set for February 6, three months later than originally scheduled, as Shourd has not been summoned back to Iran to appear in court.
"The charges [brought against them] in the indictment during the investigation include espionage and illegal entry onto [Iranian] soil," Shafie added. "Of course, I have repeatedly stated that based on my understanding after studying the case, [the charge of] 'espionage' has no topicality. And as for [intentional] 'illegal entry'…my clients are not guilty."
The three -- Sarah Shourd, Shane Bauer, and Josh Fattal -- were arrested more than a year ago along the Iraqi border. They said they mistakenly crossed into Iran during a hiking vacation.
Masud Shafie told RFE/RL on November 22 that he last saw Bauer and Fattal on the day in mid-September that Shourd was released on bail and returned to the United States.
"But since the case was referred to the court, the judge of the case, unfortunately, has not let me see Josh and Shane. I have to see them to prepare the defense, but this has not happened yet,” Shafie said.
Shafie said the trial for the trio is set for February 6, three months later than originally scheduled, as Shourd has not been summoned back to Iran to appear in court.
"The charges [brought against them] in the indictment during the investigation include espionage and illegal entry onto [Iranian] soil," Shafie added. "Of course, I have repeatedly stated that based on my understanding after studying the case, [the charge of] 'espionage' has no topicality. And as for [intentional] 'illegal entry'…my clients are not guilty."
