In happier times, before her July 2009 detention by Iranian authorities, Sarah Shourd. (photo: maggiesnotebook)
American Sarah Shourd, one of three hikers who has been detained by Iranian authorities for over a year, was released from prison this morning on bail, according to her attorney.
Iranian officials originally said they would release Shourd, 31, last week, but her release was delayed as the Iranian government decided to exact $500,000 bail from Shourd's parents to secure her release. Attorneys appealed the bail request, saying it was too difficult for her family to raise, delaying her release.
Shourd's attorney, Masoud Shafiei, said she just "walked out of prison."
The other two hikers, Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer, continue to be held in Evin Prison in Iran for allegations of crossing into the border illegally from Iraq in July 2009 and suspicion of espionage.
Iran's national prosecutor, Abbas Jafari-Dolatabadi, has consistently asserted that the three are guilty of espionage and that the Iranian government has enough grounds to detain them. Shourd's medical problems are said to be the basis for the early release, which Iran has characterized as holiday clemency.
Shourd has been released to the custody of the Swiss Embassy, which handles diplomatic efforts on behalf of the U.S. in Iran. Supporters of Shourd reportedly put up the $500,000 bail for her release.
Iranian state television, Press TV, is said to be broadcasting reports of Shourd's release.
According to reports, Shourd boarded a flight to Oman to be reunited with her mother, who was waiting there with officials. She was said to be smiling and happy about her release, but disappointed her two companions were not released with her.
In a statement responding to Shourd's release, U.S. President Barack Obama again called on Iran to release the other two hikers. "We remain hopeful that Iran will demonstrate renewed compassion by ensuring the release of Shane, Josh and all the other missing or detained Americans in Iran."
Shourd's mother, Nora Shourd, also issued a statement upon hearing of her daughter's release. "I've hoped and prayed for this moment for 410 days and I cannot wait to wrap Sarah in my arms and hold her close when we are finally together again. . . I urgently appeal to Iran not to delay Shane and Josh's families the same joy and relief that I now have in knowing Sarah is finally free."
Shourd, in a photo reportedly taken after her release Tuesday from Evin Prison awaiting a flight to Oman. (AP photo/BBC Persia)
On the Web:
U.S. Hiker Released in Iran, Her Lawyer Says - NY Times
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Comments
I think some good may come out of this. It’s conjecture on my part, but based on their age, education, appearance, and choice of hiking trails, these wanderers are probably not unsympathetic to “victims” of American foreign policy in the area. It may a valuable rounding out of their education for them to be observing at close range what real tyranny is all about.
But I have not read anything that makes me understand what would be the thinking behind "hiking" in the area where they were captured.
That bit of cognitive twisting has made the accusations of espionage and bail so much easier to be espoused by their captors.
Great reporting. But, like others, ever since this happened, I keep asking myself what possessed them to hike where they did? They couldn't possibly have been so naive as to believe that they could cross the border of a country and not be arrested. Hell, you can't even walk into the United States..,.