American 'spies' jailed for eight years in Iran will appeal

Two Americans convicted of spying in Iran are to appeal their eight-year sentence, their lawyer said yesterday.

Shane Bauer, 28, and Josh Fattal, 29, were arrested in 2009 on the border with Iraq, where they said they were hiking. They were found guilty of illegal entry and espionage and were sentenced on Saturday.

The US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, expressed deep disappointment at the sentences. "We continue to call and work for their immediate release," she said. The men's families echoed her call. "We appeal to the authorities in Iran to show compassion and allow them to return home to our families without delay," they said. Reuters