Iran: We'll Release Hiker on $500K Bail

Sarah Shourd, the American best known as a wayward hiker, must be wishing Tehran would let her in on the joke right about now: An Iranian prosecutor is now saying he'll release her on $500,000 bail because of health problems, reports the AP. This after Iran said it would, then wouldn't release her. Shourd's lawyer met with all three detained hikers today and says he's hopeful Shourd will be sprung in two or three days.

"Based on reports and the approval of the relevant judge about the sickness of Ms. Shourd, her detention was converted to $500,000 bail, and if the bail is deposited, she can be released," the prosecutor told the official news agency. The Swiss embassy, which represents US interests in the absence of a US embassy, is making arrangements for bail.
(More hikers Iran stories.)