In brief statements released upon their arrival in Oman, American hikers Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer expressed their happiness and gratitude for being released from Evin Prison in Iran.
"We're so happy we are free and so relieved we are free," said Fattal. "Our deepest gratitude goes toward his majesty Sultan Qaboos of Oman for obtaining our release. We're sincerely grateful for the government of Oman for hosting us and our families."
“Two years in prison is too long and we sincerely hope for the freedom of other political prisoners and other unjustly imprisoned people in America and Iran,” Bauer added.
The pair, along with Bauer’s fiancé Sarah Shourd, was arrested in July 2009 while hiking in Iraq’s Kurdish region near the Iranian border. The trio was accused of espionage and illegal entry into Iran. Shourd was released from custody last September after posting $500,000 bail.
Fattal and Bauer were sentenced to 8 years in prison last month after a court found them guilty of espionage and illegal entry. Officials say their 8 year prison sentences have been commuted. The men were released to an Omani official Wednesday after each posted $500,000 bail. They will spend several days in Oman with their families before they return to the United States.
###
Click here for more World News
