In Iran, the trial has begun for three American hikers who were arrested in June 2009 on spying charges after they allegedly crossed into Iran from Iraq. Freelance journalist Shane Bauer and his friend Josh Fatal have been detained for 18 months. Bauer’s fiancée Sarah Shourd spent 14 months in jail before being released on bail in September. Last week she was summoned to Iran for the trial but remains in the United States. All three have pleaded not guilty. During the trial, Shane Bauer said they were arrested while vacationing in the region.

Shane Bauer: “I was in Iraq and Kurdistan as a tourist with my fiancée Sarah, Josh, and our friend Sean.”

Masoud Shafiee, an attorney for the three, complained about the proceedings because he was not allowed to meet with his clients until just before the trial began.

Masoud Shafiee: “At this stage of the case, despite repeated requests, I have still not had permission to see Shane or Josh. However, we have spoken to the judge, who has arranged for me to have access to Shane and Josh one or two hours before the 10:00 a.m. trial.”