Tehran: Three US nationals, accused of spying and illegally entering the country, are due to go on trial in Iran.
The trio, Sarah Shourd, Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer, were arrested in 2009 as they were hiking near the Iran-Iraq border.
Shourd was released on bail in September last and returned to the US – she is expected to be tried in her absence.
The men’s lawyer said he had been unable to see them before the trial, which comes at a time of high tension between the US and Iran.
“I should have met with Shane and Josh to prepare the defence, but I was not allowed,” Masoud Shafii told media on Saturday.
“I have been told I might see them one or two hours before the trial.
The trial had been due to take place last November but was postponed because Shourd had not been summoned to attend.
Shourd was freed on health grounds last year and returned to the US, under a $500,000 bail.
Iran has said she will forfeit bail money if she does not return to stand trial, but Shafii said he did not expect her to be there.
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