World | hikers Iran Ahmadinejad Plans to Pardon, Release Hikers Iran president hopes they can return home 'in a couple days' By Evann Gastaldo Posted Sep 13, 2011 6:28 AM CDT Updated Sep 13, 2011 7:56 AM CDT Copied In this Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011 file photo, US hikers Shane Bauer, left, and Josh Fattal, attend their trail at the Tehran Revolutionary Court, Iran. (AP Photo/Press TV, File) More than two years after they were jailed on charges of spying, American hikers Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal may finally be headed home. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad tells the Washington Post he will grant a “unilateral pardon” to the two men, and that he is working to arrange for their release and return home “in a couple of days.” Asked if it will definitely happen this week, the president replied, “I hope so.” Meanwhile, a defense attorney tells the AP that Iran set bail at $500,000 for each of the two men, and will free them once bail is paid. Bail was set at that amount for the third jailed hiker, Sarah Shourd, before her release last year. Last month, Bauer and Fattal were sentenced to eight years, a ruling their lawyer vowed to appeal. Read These Next Gavin Newsom has filed a massive lawsuit against Fox News. Actor Sam Rockwell gets residuals from movie he wasn't in. President Trump celebrates a 'giant' Supreme Court win. Supreme Court is a yes on age checks for porn sites. Report an error