Kurdistan had some guests, composed of Turkey, Iraq and Iran. These visitors hiked there in July 2009. The majority of people who reside there are the Kurds. That is how it got its name. Iranian authorities took all hikers into custody and accused them of espionage and of being spies. Authorities keep changing their minds by initially saying they’d release one, then not, and then actually did release a hiker, Sarah Shourd. A $500,000 request for her release was made. Of course the U.S. said no way. One of the hikers that is still in custody is her fiancé.
Hiking to spy
All three captured hikers, Sarah Shourd, Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal, work within the Middle East. Bauer is the one Shourd is engaged to. Kurdistan was the choice they made to getaway at because in the southern parts of Iraq, it is probably the most free. The Nation reports the backpackers ran into Iranian police and were detained right outside of Zalem, a village in Iraqi Kurdistan. Locals in the area explain that Iranian forces often go into Iraq, although it is hard to view the border.
One hiker freed
Several weeks ago, the Iranian government announced it would release Sarah Shourd on $500,000 bail, which the United States government said it would not pay. The Iranian government changed its mind right after. Then, it was announced that Sarah Shourd was being released, on bail, for health reasons, according to CNN. You will find no relations between Washington and Tehran. Also, ever since the 1979, the Swiss have acted as liaison. The bail was deposited in Oman. It was deposited into a financial institution account. Iran is still holding Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal in custody.
No proof of espionage
There was never a cross to the Iranian border by the backpackers. This comes from many sources. It has been said by numerous from the area that Iranian police and intelligence operatives cross the border to detain individuals within the country. Any judge should be able to take 10 minutes to recognize a trespassing charge. There is little evidence the detention of these people was anything additional than politically motivated.
Additional reading
The Nation
thenation.com/article/36562/us-hikers-were-seized-iraq?page=,
CNN
cnn.com/2010/WORLD/meast/09/14/iran.detained.american/
