Iran court says it's considering bail for American hikers

Iran: U.S. hikers to be freedSTORY HIGHLIGHTSAn Omani official is en route to Tehran, a Western diplomat saysThe judiciary seems to contradict a Tuesday statement by the hikers' lawyerThe contradictory information may point to rifts in Iran's governmentHuman rights groups criticize Ahmadinejad for using the hikers for political gain Tehran, Iran (CNN) -- The Iranian judiciary said Wednesday it is considering a request for setting bail in the case of two American hikers convicted of spying and sentenced to eight years in prison.

"The two U.S. nationals accused of spying have not been released and their attorneys' requests for setting bail is being considered," the judiciary said.

The statement, posted on the judiciary's website, seems to contradict accounts previously given by the hikers' attorney and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

Attorney Masoud Shafiee said Tuesday his clients, Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer, would be released from Tehran's Evin prison after a $500,000 bail was paid for each of them.

View the Original article