By now, most people know about the tragic story of the three American hikers arrested in 2009 at the unmarked Iran/Iraq border. Sarah Emily Shourd was eventually released after 410 days, but fiance Shane Bauer and friend Josh Fattal have been languishing in an Iranian prison for the past two years on charges of espionage.
On Saturday, despite diplomatic efforts and pressure from the U.S. State Department, Shane and Josh were sentenced to eight years in prison - three years for illegal entry and five years for espionage. Their case was tried in Iran's Revolutionary Court, which has in the past been accused of ignoring defendants' rights and disregarding common international law practices. Their Iranian lawyer, Massoud Shafei, maintains his clients' innocence and plans to appeal.
Sign this petition to join with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in pressuring the Iranian government to drop charges against Shane and Josh and allow them to come home.
I am writing to express my deep disappointment with Saturday's sentencing of detained Americans Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal to eight years in prison. These innocent men are being used as pawns in a power struggle of international proportions, and the charges brought against them are absurd.
Sarah Emily Shourd, fiance Shane Bauer, and friend Josh Fattal were hiking in the Kurdish region of Iraq, a common tourist destination, in July of 2009. They came across a "friendly tea salesman," according to Shourd, who recommended a particular trail as being particularly picturesque. They followed that trail for a time before encountering a soldier off the path, who motioned for them to approach. When they reached him, he said, "Iran." Pointing to the trail behind them, he gestured, "Iraq." When the three Americans expressed their surprise and tried to turn back, the soldier insisted that they come with him. Up until the moment they saw the gates of Evin Prison looming above them, according to Shourd, they were told that they were being deported.
The month of Ramadan is a holy month when pardons are traditionally common. For the sake of justice, a virtue that transcends petty international squabbles, I am urging you to formally pardon Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal - or better yet, drop all of the ludicrous charges against them - and let them go free.
Thank you,
[your name here]
