The hikers were arrested for illegally entering Iran and are being held at the notorious Evin prison in Tehran.

VOA: standard.2009.11.05

Mr Nouri arrived home on Sunday afternoon from the Evin prison in northern Tehran, a relative said.

BBC: Reformist prisoner released on leave

Mr Mortazavi was arrested earlier this month and held for two days in Tehran's Evin prison, before he was released, Iranian media said.

BBC: Saeed Mortazavi (file photo)

Esfandiari, director of the Middle East program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, had been jailed largely incommunicado at Tehran's Evin prison.

NPR: American Scholar Released from Iranian Jail