Update: U.S. hikers to appeal, Community responds to prison sentence
One day after Cheltenham High School grad Josh Fattal and hiking partner Shane Bauer were sentenced in Iran, the Elkins Park community is reacting to the news, some calling it disappointing.
News broke Saturday the two were sentenced to eight years each on charges of illegal entry and espionage. The pair, alongside Sarah Shourd who was later released for health reasons, were accused by Iranian officials for illegally entering the country.
On Sunday, the Associated Press reported the lawyer for the two Amerians has said he will appeal the verdict and his clients’ eight-year prison sentences.
A Cheltenham High School teacher tells the Daily Times the news is “very disappointing.”
Brittney McKenna, a teacher, tells the Daily Times she’s known Fattal since the first grade.
“My heart goes out to both families. I can’t imagine what they’re going through,” she said.
Many also expressed their reactions via Twitter.
The Daily Times reports the families of Fattal and Bauer have not yet publicly commented on news of the sentence.
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