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Family Cautiously Optimistic About Hikers Trial

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) -- A trial is scheduled for July 31 for two American hikers imprisoned in Iran and one family member is cautiously optimistic about it, after previous trials were canceled.

Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer have been in Iranian custody since 2009. Bauer's fiancee, Sarah Shourd, was also imprisoned, but was released last year on $500,000 bail. The three deny allegations of espionage.

Bauer's brother-in-law Nate Lindstrom tells the Duluth News Tribune the trial is at the two-year anniversary of their arrest so it's hard not to be a little optimistic about the outcome.

Bauer's mother, Cindy Hickey, of Pine City, Shourd and other family attended Saturday's Twin Ports Bridge Festival in Duluth.

They planned a morning "Free the Hikers" rally there but the weather caused them to postpone it until evening.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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