Podcast 50: Interviewing Sarah Shourd About her Time in Prison

Just over three years ago, three young Americans—Sarah Shourd, Shane Bauer and Joshua Fattal—were taken into custody by Iranian border guards while hiking in Iraqi Kurdistan. Though the young Americans’ case was widely believed to be political theater, Iranian authorities insisted they had illegally crossed over into Iranian territory in order to commit espionage; charges that were levied against Bauer and Fattal over two years after their initial arrest. Shourd was released on bail after 14 months of detention on so-called humanitarian grounds, and her two hiking companions were eventually also set free on bail in September 2011.

Today Sarah Shourd joins us to reflect on her time in Evin Prison, how it shaped her views on Iran and her own mission in life, and what’s in store for her now. Sarah is currently working on a book with her husband Shane Bauer, which will be out next year. You can also follow Sarah on her blog at the Huffington Post.