Ahmadinejad: US hikers could be freed in days

[September 13, 2011]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says two American hikers arrested and convicted on spy-related charges there could be freed "in a couple of days."

Ahmadinejad announced the upcoming release on NBC's "Today" show in an interview aired early Tuesday, saying it would be a humanitarian gesture.

The development comes after their defense attorney said an Iranian court set bail of $500,000 each for Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal, arrested more than two years ago. The move clears the way for their release a year after a similar bail-for-freedom arrangement for Sarah Shourd, the third member of the group.

[Associated Press]

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