Iran confirms U.S. hikers arrested for 'illegal entry'

[oberliner]

Source: CNN

TEHRAN, Iran (CNN) -- Iran confirmed Tuesday the arrest of three American hikers who crossed into the country from neighboring Iraq and said they have been charged with "illegal entry," a semi-official news agency reported.

The three were arrested in the western Iranian city of Marivan, Iraj Hassanzadeh, deputy governor of Kurdistan province, told the Fars News Agency.

Earlier, Swiss diplomats in Iran and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had urged Iran to provide information on the hikers.

"Obviously, we are concerned," Clinton said. "We want this matter brought to a resolution as soon as possible, and we call on the Iranian government to help us determine the whereabouts of the three missing Americans and return them as quickly as possible."

Read more: http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/08/04/iran.americans/

[slackmaster]

1. They just wanted to hike the trails that Iranians wouldn't hike

:hide:

[DrDan]

2. isn't this exactly what the rw'ers are calling for?

arrest and jail all "illegals" crossing our borders.

They should be 100% supportive of these arrests.

[oberliner]

4. Don't they just want to deport them?

I think the Americans who got caught in Iran would be pretty ok with that.

[DrDan]

5. well - certainly gather them up and keep 'em locked up until they can be dealt with

[endarkenment]

3. So our nativists here should be all fine with the arrest of these illegals. nt.

[bobshin]

6. Not to worry, the Clintons will come to the rescue.

And more American tourists will take advantage of their privileged status in the world.

:patriot:

[CanonRay]

7. I find it hard to believe that these guys were just "hikers"

If they were, are they nuts? If they are that stupid, maybe Iran will keep them. But I don't believe for a minute they were hikers...it just makes no sense.

[kas125]

8. I don't buy it, either. I don't think it's even possible to get

a visa to travel to Iraq these days, especially not to go hiking in the mountains.

[muriel_volestrangler]

9. Easy for Kurdistan, apparently

If you come in from Turkey, as these people did. A travellers' forum discussion:

If you're arriving by land from Turkey, you do not need a visa for Iraq. At the border, you will receive a couple of stamps in your passport for free. These will allow you to stay in Iraqi Kurdistan for 10 days (if you want to stay longer, you must go to some ministry or other in one of the main cities in Kurdistan - there is information on this branch if you search for it).
...
10-day visas are automatically granted at the border to visitors from most Western countries including most of Europe, US, Australia & New Zealand. The only exception is if that visitors of Arab descent may be hassled or need sponsorship within Iraqi Kurdistan, regardless of passport.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/message.jspa?messageID=15398602

[SuperTrouper]

10. I doubt that they were hikers, I smell a dirty rat here...nt

[Alcibiades]

11. You're right

Who the fuck visits Iraq for tourism? And then decides to take a hike along the Iranian border? I expect this story will be kept quiet.

[hugo_from_TN]

14. My Father-in-Law recently visited Iran for tourism, so you never know.

[Alcibiades]

15. Oh, sure Iran

But Iraq? It's a war zone. And there are lots of places more interesting in Iraq than the Iranian border.

[BOG PERSON]

12. Doubtless if the US government discovered three iranians trying to

illegally cross into US territory, they would roll out the red carpet for them.

[leveymg]

13. Here's a photo of the three hikers.

Just normal, average Americans who went a little out of their way to get some healthy exercise. Nothing suspicious here.

[provis99]

16. the hikers are from Berkeley, the CIA's top recruiting college

Apparently, the CIA is short of money, if they can only afford hikers to spy on Iran these days.