Kristin Holtz of the Shakopee Valley News reports:

Sunday marked the 100th day since three American hikers were detained in Iran after illegally crossing the border. Now, those hikers, including one with local ties, might be headed for trial.

The Associated Press reported Monday that a senior Iranian official has accused the hikers of espionage.

The hikers include Shane Bauer, 27, whose father, Allan, lives in Sand Creek Township. He also has many aunts, uncles, and cousins in the Shakopee and Jordan areas.

The other two hikers are Bauer's girlfriend, Sarah Shourd, and a friend, Josh Fattal. All are graduates of the University of California in Berkeley.

Families of the hikers have repeatedly said the border crossing was accidental. The hikers were on vacation in the Kurdistan region of Iraq when they were arrested July 31.

Tehran chief prosecutor Abbas Jafari Dowlatabadi said the three "have been accused of espionage" and that investigations were continuing, according to a report by the Associated Press. It is not clear whether any formal charges have been made.

Bauer's family and friends held a vigil for the hikers Sunday at Memorial Park in Shakopee to highlight the 100th day of the hikers' detainment.

More than 50 people gathered to participate in a silent walk around the park. Bauer’s father then read a letter from the Swiss diplomats who recently visited the hikers in Evin Prison.

“One hundred day ago today, Shane, Sarah, and Josh were detained in Iran. One hundred days of silence, a hundred days of absence, a hundred days too long,” Bauer read. “Their continued detainment is unjustified and we call on the Iranian authorities to release them without delay.”

The hikers were able to send message to their families through the Swiss. Shane Bauer thanked his family for prayers and letters, which those in attendance were asked to write. “I know you are fighting for me. I'm hanging in there,” was Shane’s message, according to his father.

Vigils for the hikers, like the one in Shakopee, were held across the world Sunday.

“As long as Shane, Sarah, and Josh remain in detainment, our efforts to win their freedom will continue,” Allan Bauer read. “We ask everyone here and everyone who has shown their support around the world not to let up until they are back in our arms.”

Kristin Holtz is a staff writer for the Shakopee Valley News. She can be reached at kholtz@swpub.com.