Prison, U.s. Hikers | featured news

The lawyer for two American hikers sentenced to eight years in prison said Sunday he has filed an appeal in the case.

The lawyer for two American hikers is holding out hope that Tehran will show leniency toward his clients who have been sentenced to eight years in prison.

The two U.S. hikers detained for two grueling years in Iran on spying charges have been sentenced to eight years in prison, state-run TV reported Saturday. Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer each received five years for espionage -- specifically "cooperating with the American intelligence service" -- and three years for illegal entry, the IRINN reported, quoting an "informed" judiciary source.

The lawyer for two Americans jailed in Iran on charges of espionage says his clients could be released after a court hearing slated for Sunday.

Shane Bauer and Sarah Shourd, two of the three Americans held in Iran on suspicion of spying, have gotten engaged in Tehran's Evin jail and will marry once they are freed, their mothers said on Monday.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad suggests that Iran would release three jailed U.S. hikers in exchange for Iranians currently serving in American prisons.