Iran sets trial date for American hikers

TEHRAN, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- Iran will put two U.S. hikers charged with unlawful entry and espionage on trial Nov. 6, their lawyer said Wednesday.

Attorney Masoud Shafii told the government-supported Press TV that he had informed the families of Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer of the development.

Last month, Iran freed their fellow hiker, Sarah Shourd, on $500,000 bail. Shafii said it was up to Shourd and her family whether she wants to return to Iran for the trial.

"If she is not present, it will hurt her bail. I cannot request that she be present. It is up to them to decide. I, as a lawyer, have only informed them of the time of the trial and I will execute my duty to defend the three," he said.

Intelligence Minister Heidar Moslehi has said Shourd, released in clemency because of illness, is expected to return to Iran for her trial if required by law.

Bauer and Fattal, both 27, and Shourd, 31, were arrested in July 2009 after crossing the border from Iraqi Kurdistan.

They were charged with espionage after Tehran Prosecutor General Abbas Jafari-Dolatabadi said he had "compelling evidence" that they were working for U.S. intelligence.