Duluth Will Host Rally For Imprisoned Hikers
DULUTH, Minn. (AP) -- The families of the two American hikers imprisoned in Iran are planning a rally in Minnesota next month, the home state for one of the men.
Nicole Lindstrom of Duluth is the sister of Shane Bauer. He and his friend, Josh Fattal, have been in Iranian custody since 2009. Bauer's fiancee, Sarah Shourd, was also imprisoned, but was released last year on $500,000 bail and has refused to return to Iran for trial. The three deny the allegations of espionage.
Immediate family members, as well as Shourd, plan to attend the rally July 9 at Bayfront Festival Park. The Duluth News Tribune says the Free the Hikers rally will be part of the humanitarian-focused Twin Ports Bridge Festival.
Iran's official news agency reported Tuesday that Iran expects to make a final decision on the case by August.
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