Trial put back for three US hikers arrested by Iran in 2009



TEHRAN // A new trial date for three US hikers arrested in Iran and charged with espionage has been set for February 6 , their lawyer said today, prolonging the uncertainty of the two still in jail more than 15 months after being held on the Iraq border.

Masoud Shafii told AFP: "I have received an official notification from the court to appear in court on the 17 Bahman (February 6) to represent my three clients, Sarah (Shourd), Josh (Fattal) and Shane (Bauer)."

Mr Shafii said that he did not know if a special summons had been sent to Ms Shourd, the lone woman among the three, who was released and flew out of Iran on bail on September 14 in a deal brokered by Oman.

Mr Shafii, who criticised the new delay in the case, which has increased tension between the United States and Iran, said the charges against his clients remained "illegal entry and espionage".

The trial date had been set as November 6, but five days before the hearing, Iran's prosecutor, Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejeie, announced a postponement, "as the [American] national who was released must be summonsed and the three be put on trial."

Mr Shafii expressed disappointment at the delay.

"I am not very happy (about the new court date) since it is very late," he said.

"There is no justification for them to be kept behind bars. I was present at the November 6 court hearing; the judge was there too but the judiciary did not bring Josh and Shane.

"They told me that the reason for the postponement was the no show by the accused," he added.

"They should not postpone the court hearing since if they get the minimum sentence, which is one year in jail, they have already been in prison for around 15 months."

The trio insist that they had innocently strayed across the border with neighbouring Iraq on July 31, 2009 when they were detained.

Mr Shafii also said that he had asked the presiding judge, Abolqasem Salavati, to grant him permission to meet Mr Fattal and Mr Bauer in jail.

"I have not met the two since Sarah left Iran [in mid-September], but yesterday I asked judge Salavati to arrange a meeting with the two," he said.

Mr Salavati has overseen a string of trials involving people charged with anti-Iran or anti-revolutionary activities, particularly cases connected with huge street protests that followed Iran's controversial 2009 presidential election.

He also presided over the trial of the French academic Clotilde Reiss, who was arrested during the election unrest and later freed after paying a fine of US$285,000.

American officials, including the secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, have said there is no justification for prosecuting the three Americans.

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City's slump

L - Juventus, 2-0
D - C Palace, 2-2
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Name: ARDH Collective
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What is double taxation?
  • Americans living abroad file taxes with the Internal Revenue Service, which can cost hundreds of dollars to complete even though about 60 per cent do not owe taxes, according to the Taxpayer Advocate Service
  • Those obligations apply to millions of Americans residing overseas – estimates range from 3.9 million to 5.5 million – including so-called "accidental Americans" who are unaware they hold dual citizenship
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Flight connections to Ulaanbaatar are available through a variety of hubs, including Seoul and Beijing, with airlines including Mongolian Airlines and Korean Air. While some nationalities, such as Americans, don’t need a tourist visa for Mongolia, others, including UAE citizens, can obtain a visa on arrival, while others including UK citizens, need to obtain a visa in advance. Contact the Mongolian Embassy in the UAE for more information.

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A fully guided three-day, two-night itinerary at Three Camel Lodge costs from $2,420 per person based on two sharing, including airport transfers, accommodation, meals and excursions including the Yol Valley and Flaming Cliffs. A return internal flight from Ulaanbaatar to Dalanzadgad costs $300 per person and the flight takes 90 minutes each way; threecamellodge.com

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Brief scores:

Juventus 3

Dybala 6', Bonucci 17', Ronaldo 63'

Frosinone 0

Going grey? A stylist's advice

If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
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Day 3, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance

Moment of the day Just three balls remained in an exhausting day for Sri Lanka’s bowlers when they were afforded some belated cheer. Nuwan Pradeep, unrewarded in 15 overs to that point, let slip a seemingly innocuous delivery down the legside. Babar Azam feathered it behind, and Niroshan Dickwella dived to make a fine catch.

Stat of the day - 2.56 Shan Masood and Sami Aslam are the 16th opening partnership Pakistan have had in Tests in the past five years. That turnover at the top of the order – a new pair every 2.56 Test matches on average – is by far the fastest rate among the leading Test sides. Masood and Aslam put on 114 in their first alliance in Abu Dhabi.

The verdict Even by the normal standards of Test cricket in the UAE, this has been slow going. Pakistan’s run-rate of 2.38 per over is the lowest they have managed in a Test match in this country. With just 14 wickets having fallen in three days so far, it is difficult to see 26 dropping to bring about a result over the next two.

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Libya's Gold

UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves. 

The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.

Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.

A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
  • 2018: Formal work begins
  • November 2021: First 17 volumes launched 
  • November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
  • October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
  • November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
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Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage

Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid 

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Rating: 4/5

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How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.