Three Americans, Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd, Jose Fattal, Charged with Espionage After They Strayed Into Iran from Northern Iraq

Iran has charged three detained U.S. citizens -- Shane Bauer, 27, Sarah Shourd, 31, and Jose Fattal, 27, with espionage. The three were held after they strayed into Iran from northern Iraq at the end of July. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said, "We believe strongly that there is no evidence to support any charge whatsoever." Under Iran's Islamic sharia law, espionage is punishable by death.

The United States has sent strong messages to Iran urging the release of the three hikers, calling Iranian authorities to exercises "compassion" toward the three Americans. Some Iranian authorities have linked the illegal entry of the three to the unrest that erupted after the country's presidential elections in June, which was the worst unrest the country had experienced since the 1979 Islamic revolution.

I find it hard to believe that these three Americans were spying on Iran and the State Department should continue to press Iran for their release.