In July 2009, three American hikers were trekking in Iraqi Kurdistan when they were arrested and charged with illegally entering Iran. They were then accused of espionage by the Iranian government.Pardoned after spending 13 months in prison, Sarah Shourd returned home on Sept. 19. According to the New York Post, she wasted no time in her efforts to have her friend Shane Bauer, 28, and her fiancé Joshua Fattal, 28, released as well.

According to The New York Times, Shourd said her two companions, still being held in Iran, “in no way intended any harm to the Iranian government or its people and believe a huge misunderstanding led to our detention and prolonged imprisonment.”

In an interview with renowned journalist and human rights activist Omid Memarian, Shourd’s lawyer Massoud Shafie cited evidence of dysfunction within the Iranian judiciary.

“I heard from the person directly in charge of the case that there is no evidence of espionage,” Shafie said.

Many have expressed similar thoughts, saying that this case is a clear instance of political manipulation.

“This was no misunderstanding on the part of Iran,” said Assistant Professor of Political Science Robert Duncan. “They can use these prisoners to invoke nationalism among the populace and in this case, for ransom.”

In an interview with Christiane Amanpour, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad suggested that the United States should release eight Iranian prisoners in exchange for the remaining two hikers – a proposition that was rebuffed by the United States.

“We took a humanitarian measure and released one of the three individuals who entered our borders,” Ahmadinejad said. “It would not be misplaced to ask the United States to make a humanitarian gesture and release the Iranians who were illegally arrested and detained in the United States.”

Shourd is reported to be ill and her release from prison was on the basis of her deteriorating health, according to Time Magazine. A $500,000 bond was paid to an Iranian bank in return for her release. Despite this, Ahmadinejad still views his move to release Shourd as a truly magnanimous act.

“Freeing one of them offered a way of turning the story around in his favor,” Memerian said. “Throughout their detention, Ahmadinejad has insisted that the case against them lies in the hands of a completely independent judiciary . In reality, it was Ahmadinejad’s intelligence ministry that had been handling this highly political case all along. When Shourd was released, the Iranian judiciary had not even heard.”

The events surrounding Shourd’s release and the detainment of the hikers adds yet another layer of complexity to the political and social upheaval engulfing Iran.

“The case has added to the intense political infighting in Iran,” said Duncan. “There is a tension between those who want to make a good impression to the media and those protecting the sovereignty of the Ayatollah.”

According to most experts, the case has become completely political, leaving the identity of the three hikers and their charges irrelevant.

Prior to their detainment, the hikers themselves had been actively voicing their concerns about United States and Israeli policy in the region.

According to The Christian Science Monitor, before their detainment, the three hikers were activists “taking a stand against United States and Israeli aggression,” adding an ironic twist to the story.

“Iran has arrested a trio of passionate young Americans who espouse some of the same causes as Iran itself,” The Christian Science Monitor published.

The current situation puts Shourd in a difficult place. She must remain cordial to the government that locked her up, in hopes that her companions will be released.

According to Time Magazine, Shourd met with Ahmadinejad on Sept. 24 during his trip to New York. It was a “very gracious gesture and a good meeting,” Shourd said. “I’m just going to keep pushing every minute for their release on humanitarian grounds . Until they are at my side, my life will not resume.