Ahmadinejad: US hikers could be freed in days

NEW YORK - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says two American hikers arrested and convicted on spy-related charges there could be freed "in a couple of days."

Ahmadinejad announced the upcoming release on NBC's "Today" show in an interview aired early Tuesday, saying it would be a humanitarian gesture.

The development comes after their defense attorney said an Iranian court set bail of $500,000 each for Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal, arrested more than two years ago. The move clears the way for their release a year after a similar bail-for-freedom arrangement for Sarah Shourd, the third member of the group.