Hillary Clinton calls for release of three Americans held in Iran

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Secretary of State Hillary Clinton today rejected Iran’s decision to charge three Americans with espionage and she renewed the U.S. call that the hikers be released.

Speaking at a German news conference, where she is commemorating the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, Clinton said the Iranian action was unsupported by evidence.

“With respect to the three American hikers who were detained by the Iranians when they were hiking in northern Iraq, we believe strongly that there is no evidence to support any charge whatsoever,” Clinton said, according to a transcript of the news conference.

“We would renew our request on behalf of these three young people and their families that the Iranian government exercise compassion and release them so they can return home,” Clinton said.

The United States will continue to work for the American’s release through Swiss diplomats, who represent U.S. interests in Iran, Clinton said.

-- Michael Muskal

Twitter.com/LATimesmuskal