Iran frees jailed US hiker

Iran freed a US woman from prison today after holding her for more than a year under suspicion of spying, but her two male companions…

Iran freed a US woman from prison today after holding her for more than a year under suspicion of spying, but her two male companions remained in jail.

Sarah Shourd and two male companions were arrested near Iran's border with Iraq in July 2009. Their families say they were on a mountain hike in northern Iraq at the time of their arrest.

Iran has accused them of spying, which Washington denies.

Tehran prosecutor Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi had said on Sunday that Ms Shourd would be freed once $500,000 bail was paid, and would be allowed to leave Iran.

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Iranian news agencies, quoting the judiciary, reported that bank documents had been submitted to secure Ms Shourd's release and that she had been handed to Swiss officials who represent  US interests in the absence of diplomatic ties with Washington.