Freed US hiker vows to lobby for remaining two men’s release from Iran

WASHINGTON - One of the three US hikers, Sarah Shourd, freed after spending more than a year in jail in Iran on ’spying’ charges, has vowed to lobby for the release of the two men she was arrested with.

Both the men are still facing trial in Iran.

Shourd reportedly described her release as a “huge relief” and thanked the world, every official and individual involved in the process.

“I feel myself I have a huge debt to repay the world for what it’s done for me,” the BBC quoted Shourd, as saying.

“My first priority is to help my fiance Shane Bauer and my friend Josh Fattal to gain their freedom because they don’t deserve to be in prison any more. And even when that’s finished I feel like my work has just begun repaying the world for what it’s done for me,” she added.

Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama has insisted that both of them should be released, as they have not committed any crime.

“We remain hopeful that Iran will demonstrate renewed compassion by ensuring the return of Shane, Josh and all the other missing or detained Americans in Iran,” Mr Obama added.

Appreciating Iran’s flexibility for freeing the female hiker, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon further urged the release of the duo.

However, Tehran’s chief prosecutor Jafari Dolatabadi reportedly said that the two men’s detention had been extended by two months.

“Therefore there is no talk of the release of the two,” he added.

The three Americans deny spying, saying they accidentally strayed into Iranian territory while on a hike in Iraq when they were arrested on 31 July 2009. (ANI)