Defense attorney , Swiss Embassy ca n't yet confirm reports . Bauer and Fattal were seized two years ago . Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer each received five years for espionage -- specifically `` cooperating with the American intelligence service '' -- and three years for illegal entry , IRINN reported , quoting an `` informed '' judiciary source . Another hiker , Sarah Shourd, was released in January after being held for more than a year without charge or access to her lawyer. Human rights groups have accused Iran of using hikers as `` a bargaining chip ''
Defense attorney , Swiss Embassy ca n't yet confirm reports . Bauer and Fattal were seized two years ago . Another hiker , Sarah Shourd, was released in January after being held for more than a year without charge or access to her lawyer. Human rights groups have accused Iran of using hikers as `` a bargaining chip ''