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US Hikers' Trial to Continue in Iran


US hikers Shane Bauer, left, and Josh Fattal, attend their trail at the Tehran Revolutionary Court, Iran, February 6, 2011
US hikers Shane Bauer, left, and Josh Fattal, attend their trail at the Tehran Revolutionary Court, Iran, February 6, 2011

An Iranian judiciary spokesman says the trial of three U.S. hikers charged with spying will be continued in Iran.

Iranian state media reports quote the spokesman as saying the number of trial sessions will depend on the presiding judge. He also told reporters Wednesday, the court will decide whether it will confiscate the bail of Sarah Shourd, one of the three hikers.

Shourd returned to the United States after Iran released her on a $500,000 bail last September. She pleaded not guilty in absentia at the start of court proceedings on Sunday.

The other two hikers, Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal, have been detained in Iran for 18 months. They also entered not guilty pleas Sunday.

Iranian authorities arrested the three hikers in July 2009 on charges of illegally crossing the country's border with Iraq. The hikers say if they crossed the unmarked border, it was by accident.

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