Iran frees jailed US hikers after more than two years

A pair of Americans convicted as spies and imprisoned in Iran for two years have had emotional reunions with their families following their release.

Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal, both 29, were flown to Oman after being freed on bail from Evin prison.

The pair were arrested in 2009 after crossing into Iran from Iraq, where they said they were hiking and were eventally sentenced in September to eight years in prison on charges of spying.

The two men left the prison compound just minutes after their Iranian attorney, Masoud Shafiei, said he had finished the paperwork for their release, obtaining the signatures of two judges on a bail-for-freedom deal.

The families of the hikers, while waiting for Mr Bauer and Mr Fattal to land in Oman, described the occasion as "the best day of our lives".

"We want nothing more than to wrap Shane and Josh in our arms, catch up on two lost years and make a new beginning, for them and for all of us," they added.

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