Iran demands $500,000 to free hiker

State appears willing to release prisoner held on a spying charge, but fate of two fellow American companions unclear Iran said today that it would free one of the three American hikers it has held as spies for more than a year on bail of $500,000 (£325,722). But the fate of her friends remains unclear amid controversy in Tehran. Sarah Shourd, 31, has been in prison with Shane Bauer and Josh