Iran Calls Back Freed American Woman for Trial

"Sarah Shourd ... has been summoned by the Revolutionary Court to be present at next trial session," Iran's Prosecutor-General and Judiciary Spokesman Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejeii announced, saying that the trial is set for February 6.

"The hearing will be held on scheduled date unless in some exceptional cases such as their lawyers' formal requests," Farsnews quoted Ejeii as saying.

In July 2009, Iran detained three American nationals after crossing Iran-Iraq borders illegally. They were later charged with espionage by Tehran Prosecutor General Abbas Jafari-Dolatabadi.

Joshua Felix Fattal, 28, along with Shane Michael Bauer, 28, and Sarah Emily Shourd, 32 were arrested in the western Iranian district of Marivan, at the Malakh-Khur border point on July 31, 2009 for crossing Iran's borders with Iraq illegally.

Sara Shourd was released on September 14 on a bail of $500,000, more than 14 months after her arrest.

In November, their lawyer announced that the three US nationals are scheduled to go on trial for espionage charges.

"I have received an official notification to appear in court on the 17 Bahman (February 6) to represent my three clients, Sarah (Shourd), Josh (Fattal) and Shane (Bauer)," lawyer Masoud Shafii said at the time.

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