Iran state TV confirms arrest of 3 Americans

[Fury]

Uh, you do realize these 3 idiots were living in Syria at the time?

Oh wait, that's right.  The CIA recruited 3 pasty white douchebags and dumped them in a remote mountain region with no equipment in an effort to gather useful intelligence on Iran.  Yep, that makes sooo much more sense.  

Didn't you know the CIA, the organization built around people who don't exist and whose number one goal is to make their operators and assets blend in, decided it would be a brilliant move to drop off three Americans who stick out like sore thumbs?

Fuck, tinfoil hatters are stupid.

Some dipshit Asian student from UCLA took a one-way flight to Libya and hooked up with the rebels because he thought it would be a cool story (was in the LA Times last week). CIA plant or just a retard?

[Hugo Chavez]

Uh, you do realize these 3 idiots were living in Syria at the time?

Oh wait, that's right.  The CIA recruited 3 pasty white douchebags and dumped them in a remote mountain region with no equipment in an effort to gather useful intelligence on Iran.  Yep, that makes sooo much more sense. 

Isn't Syria usually on the state departments list of countries Americans shouldn't travel to? Living in syria sounds stupid enough.  That they jumped from stupid to suicidally stupid doesn't help their case much lol...  If they were not spies, they were dumb as all hell.

[Fury]

Isn't Syria usually on the state departments list of countries Americans shouldn't travel to? Living in syria sounds stupid enough.  That they jumped from stupid to suicidally stupid doesn't help their case much lol...  If they were not spies, they were dumb as all hell.

They're Berkeley grad students so a far-leftist lack of common sense seems to be a given.

[Skip8282]

Didn't you know the CIA, the organization built around people who don't exist and whose number one goal is to make their operators and assets blend in, decided it would be a brilliant move to drop off three Americans who stick out like sore thumbs?

Fuck, tinfoil hatters are stupid.

Some dipshit Asian student from UCLA took a one-way flight to Libya and hooked up with the rebels because he thought it would be a cool story (was in the LA Times last week). CIA plant or just a retard?

The guy who had his head disgustingly cut off is another example.  Hell, he was offered a return flight by the military, passed, and decided to wander around the area.  He must've been one of the CIA's better trained guys.

[Dos Equis]

Uh, you do realize these 3 idiots were living in Syria at the time?

Oh wait, that's right.  The CIA recruited 3 pasty white douchebags and dumped them in a remote mountain region with no equipment in an effort to gather useful intelligence on Iran.  Yep, that makes sooo much more sense. 

 

[Skip8282]

Isn't Syria usually on the state departments list of countries Americans shouldn't travel to? Living in syria sounds stupid enough.  That they jumped from stupid to suicidally stupid doesn't help their case much lol...  If they were not spies, they were dumb as all hell.

I wouldn't know, but I doubt it.  In fact it wasn't even until the beginning of last month that the State Dept. issued a warning for Americans to get out of the country.

[Hugo Chavez]

I wouldn't know, but I doubt it.  In fact it wasn't even until the beginning of last month that the State Dept. issued a warning for Americans to get out of the country.

whatever the context of what they were doing before or where they were, hiking on the Iraq/Iran border still sounds dumb as all hell to me.

[Skip8282]

whatever the context of what they were doing before or where they were, hiking on the Iraq/Iran border still sounds dumb as all hell to me.

Couldn't agree more.  That's why I say fuck'em, let them find their own 500K each to get out of this mess.

[Hugo Chavez]

I saw this video a while back, this reporter goes into the mountains between Iraq and Iran.  This is a little north from where the hikers were last seen.  But holy shit, looking at this it's hard to imagine how anyone would want to wonder even close to this area without a really important reason.  From the video, Iran randomly shells this area and the people she talks to openly talk about how they sneek into Iran to spy and commit terrorist acts in Iran.

[240 is Back]

hahhahahahhahahahhaha

even dumber than these hikers are the ones who defend their actions

[OzmO]

Wow,  you get caught on the iraq Iran border and you get 8 years, you get caught on our border and you get a job and benefits. 

[240 is Back]

Wow,  you get caught on the iraq Iran border and you get 8 years, you get caught on our border and you get a job and benefits. 

and your illegal ass anchor baby kids get financial aid for college - Thanks Rick Perry!

[Dos Equis]

It is surprising that Iraq is helping secure the release of the American spy (kids), given that we stole Iraq's oil and all.

Iraq Joins Talks on Iran Bail for Jailed Americans
Published September 15, 2011
Associated Press

In this May 21, 2010 file photo, American hikers Shane Bauer, left, Josh Fattal, center, and Sarah Shourd are shown in Tehran.

Arab countries Oman and Iraq are involved in negotiations for the release of two Americans jailed in Iran for spying.

A private plane from the Gulf state of Oman has been dispatched to Tehran and an Iraqi official says a delegation of lawmakers is in the Iranian capital amid intensified efforts to seal a $1 million bail-for-freedom deal for Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal.

They were detained along the Iran-Iraq border in July 2009 with their friend Sarah Shourd. She was released last September with mediation by Oman.

Their defense lawyer says talks are under way, but there is no timetable on a possible release.

The Iraqi official spoke on condition of anonymity due to sensitivity of the issue.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/09/15/iraq-joins-talks-on-iran-bail-for-jailed-americans/?test=latestnews

[Skip8282]

It is surprising that Iraq is helping secure the release of the American spy (kids), given that we stole Iraq's oil and all.

They come up with that 1 million dollar ransom, I mean bail, I'm guessing things will start moving along a lot quicker.

[Dos Equis]

They come up with that 1 million dollar ransom, I mean bail, I'm guessing things will start moving along a lot quicker.

Yep.  Money talks. 

[Dos Equis]

The spies are coming home.  Very painful lesson for those kids.  

I'm sure they will bring a treasure trove of intel from this mission.  I expect a full report on Iran's nuclear program.  

Live blog: Hikers on their way to Oman, official says
September 21st, 2011

[Updated at 10:44 a.m. ET] The government of Oman says American hikers Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer have been turned over to the custody of Omani officials and are on their way to the Arabian sultanate.

"You can state officially now that the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has handled Shane and Josh to the custody of Dr. Salem Al Ismaily, the envoy of  His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the Sultan of Oman, a country that enjoys excellent relationships with both the IRI and the USA. Dr. Al Ismaily with the hikers are now on their way to Muscat where they will spend a couple of days before heading home,” a statement from Oman's envoy in Iran said.

Officials said the hikers are waiting at an Iranian airport for their flight to Oman.

[Updated at 10:08 a.m. ET] Two American hikers have been turned over to the custody of an Omani official, a senior U.S. official tells CNN.

[Updated at 9:58 a.m. ET] Two Omani cars that entered the Evin Prison to pick up the two American hikers have left with a police escort as well as cars carrying people from the Swiss embassy, CNN's Shirzad Bozogmehr reported.

Bozogmehr reported that it is believed the hikers are in that convoy, though nobody was able to see them inside the car.

[Updated at 9:19 a.m. ET] It's likely that two American hikers being released from an Iranian prison will to go to a third country, possibly Oman, upon their release, CNN's Zain Verjee reports. One official told CNN that Oman was on alert to pick up the two Americans and the families have been there for a while. They would likely get medical checkups in Oman and get back to the U.S. as soon as possible, Verjee reported.

[Updated at 9:09 a.m. ET] Masoud Shafiee, lawyer for American hikers Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer, says outside Tehran's Evin Prison, "In four or five minutes they will be released."

"As soon as they are in the car hopefully we can get a word out of them before we leave," the lawyer said. He could not confirm where the hikers would go upon their release.

[Updated at 8:55a.m. ET] American hikers Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer have not yet been seen leaving Tehran's Evin Prison, but their attorney, Masoud Shafiee, went into the facility earlier in the day with paperwork to show that the $500,000 bail had been paid for each of them.

[Updated at 8:37 a.m. ET] Iran's state-run Press TV reports that American hikers Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer have been released.

Press TV reported the following on its website: "Branch 36 of Tehran's Appeals Court has agreed to commuted the detention sentences of the two US nationals to release on a bail of USD500,000, a statement released by Iran's Judiciary said on Wednesday."

[Updated at 7:45 a.m. ET] American hikers Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer were freed from prison in Iran on Wednesday, a U.S. official said, more than two years after they were arrested as spies.

[Updated at 7:21 a.m. ET] The attorney for the U.S. hikers has entered Tehran’s Evin prison, from which the hikers are expected to be released today. The lawyer entered the main building accompanied by officials from the Swiss and Omani embassies. Oman has helped in negotiations to free the hikers.

[Updated at 6:21 a.m. ET] Swiss Ambassador in Iran Livia Leu Agosti told CNN she had not been officially informed of the pending release of two U.S. hikers, but would undertake all duties normally handled by American officials in such circumstances. Switzerland handles United States interests in Tehran because there is no American embassy there.

[Updated at 5:27 a.m. ET] Iran's semi-official FARS news agency says the two American hikers will be handed over to officials from the Swiss Embassy at 3 p.m. local (6:30 a.m. ET) Wednesday.

[Updated at 5:15 a.m. ET] A lawyer for two Americans imprisoned as spies in Iran for more than two years expects to start paperwork for their release Wednesday, he told CNN.

A second judge signed bail paperwork for Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal, Masoud Shafiee said, leaving only minor banking details to be sorted out.

Fattal and Bauer were arrested along with a third hiker, Sarah Shourd, in July 2009 after apparently straying over an unmarked border between Iraqi Kurdistan and Iran. Shourd was freed earlier on medical grounds.

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/21/2nd-iranian-judge-signs-off-on-hiker-release-attorney-says/?hpt=hp_t1

[OzmO]

 

[Skip8282]

The spies are coming home.  Very painful lesson for those kids. 

I'm sure they will bring a treasure trove of intel from this mission.  I expect a full report on Iran's nuclear program. 

haha...how can this be?  Surely the Iranians would never let important CIA spooks like this just go free for a measley million dollars.

Uh oh, could there be a conspiracy behind the conspiracy?

The plot thickens...

[OzmO]

The agents were turned. 

[Dos Equis]

Double agents?   

[Dos Equis]

Welcome home.  Next stop:  enshrinement in the International Spy Museum Hall of Fame:

Iran hikers arrive in the United States
By the CNN Wire Staff

Josh Fattal, center, Shane Bauer and his fiancée Sarah Shourd wait Saturday in Oman before flying home.

(CNN) -- A pair of American hikers who spent two years in prison in Iran returned to the United States on Sunday.

Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer landed at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport shortly before 11 a.m. They had been held in Iran as accused spies since July 2009, after they apparently strayed over an unmarked border between Iraqi Kurdistan and Iran.

The crew of their U.S.-bound flight moved them to the front of the aircraft before landing, allowing them to get off the plane first. Fattal had a big grin on his face as he moved forward.

Iranian authorities released Fattal and Bauer on Wednesday. They first were flown to Oman, where they enjoyed several days of freedom after their lengthy captivity.

The two are expected to hold a news conference Sunday afternoon. In their prepared remarks, Fattal and Bauer are expected to be frank about their experience and conditions in Iran.

Fattal and Bauer, both 29, say they accidentally crossed into Iran when they veered off a dirt road while hiking near a tourist site in the Kurdish region of northern Iraq. They appealed their eight-year sentences while serving time in prison.

A third American seized with them, Sarah Shourd, was freed on medical grounds almost exactly a year ago. Shourd and Bauer became officially engaged Friday.

In statements before leaving Oman's capital Muscat, Bauer and Fattal thanked Omani officials for their hospitality and assistance in securing their release.

"Just hours after we left prison, we were able to swim in the calm waters of the Gulf," Fattal said. "We stayed up all night with our loved ones and watched the most beautiful sunrise we have ever seen. These experiences will be with us for the rest of our lives."

Fattal and Bauer were released a day before Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's address to the United Nations. Shourd's release came a week before Ahmadinejad addressed the United Nations last year.

http://www.cnn.com/2011/09/25/us/us-iran-hikers/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

[240 is Back]

theylost a lot of mass in there.  they won't place at the regional level.  pathetic skinny fat.

[Dos Equis]

Happy ending. 

U.S. hikers who were held in Iran marry in California
By the CNN Wire Staff
updated 6:30 PM EDT, Mon May 7, 2012

Shane Bauer and Sarah Shourd, hikers who had been held by Iran, were formally engaged in Oman last September.

(CNN) -- Two American hikers held in Iran and accused of spying after straying across the unmarked border there have been married in California, an attorney said.

Sarah Shourd and Shane Bauer married Saturday near the ocean, surrounded by some 200 family and friends, Ben Rosenfeld, a San Francisco attorney, said in a statement.

"Friends and family assumed roles at their wedding, in the same spirit of community which suffuses Sarah and Shane's everyday lives, and which characterized the tireless broad support they received throughout their ordeal. Friends traveled from around the globe to be present. The group danced outside under the amorous cross-rays of Venus and a 'supermoon,'" he said.

Shourd, Bauer and a third hiker -- Josh Fattal -- were arrested after straying across the unmarked border between Iraqi Kurdistan and Iran in July 2009.

Bauer proposed during their time in prison, fashioning an engagement ring from a thread of one of his shirts.

Shourd was released in 2010, and Bauer and Fattal were freed last year after 781 days in captivity and a trial for espionage that Bauer said was based on "ridiculous lies."

http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/07/us/iran-hikers-married/index.html

[24KT]

We could put a lot more pressure on Iran.  It's just wrong to lock those kids up for two years for trespassing. 

Let me get this straight:

You think it's wrong to imprison someone for 2 yrs who has actually committed a crime,
...but you have no problem with imprisoning someone indefinitely,
...without even charging them with a crime, let alone obtaining any type of conviction?

[Dos Equis]

Let me get this straight:

You think it's wrong to imprison someone for 2 yrs who has actually committed a crime,
...but you have no problem with imprisoning someone indefinitely,
...without even charging them with a crime, let alone obtaining any type of conviction?

What the heck are you talking about?