The three American hikers who have been detained in Iran for the past 101 days have been charged with espionage. The families of Sarah Shourd, Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal issued the following statement today in response to these charges:

The allegation that our loved ones may have been engaged in espionage is untrue. It is entirely at odds with the people Shane, Sarah and Josh are and with anything that Iran can have learned about them since they were detained on July 31. Shane, Sarah and Josh have now been held for more than 100 days simply because they apparently strayed into Iran by accident while hiking in Iraqi Kurdistan. We again call on Iran to show compassion to our loved ones and release them without delay. This has already gone on for too long.

Yesterday "Hope Vigils" were held around the world to mark the 100th day of the hikers imprisonment and to appeal for their release.

More information at FreetheHikers.org