Hikers Held in Iran for One Year
Posted at: 07/31/2010 11:56 AM
| Updated at: 07/31/2010 7:10 PM
By: Alan Hoglund
ahoglund@wdio.com
It has been one year since three American hikers were imprisoned in Iran.
Saturday the family of Shane Bauer came to Duluth and hosted a "March for Freedom" to raise awareness. In doing so, they once again cried out for the release of Bauer, his fiance Sarah Shourd, and friend Josh Fattal.
Senator Al Franken and Duluth Mayor Don Ness joined Bauer's family on the Lakewalk and assured them the government will continue to do everything they can to help.
Senator Al Franken said "we have called upon the Iranian government to do the right thing. They have been held a year too long, and we want them back."
The three were picked up hiking along the border of Iran and Iraq, and crossed into Iran unknowingly. The family told Eyewitness News Iranian law states that the three hikers should legally be allowed to come home, because they have not been charged for a year's time. They have been held without the ability to speak with a lawyer, or any of their families.
We spoke with Shane Bauer's sister Nicole Lindstrom. She said "it is a year later, and enough is enough. They are sitting in the same cell that they were sitting in a year ago. No charges, nothing has changes, and enough is enough already."
Bauer's family told us he and Fattal are being held in the same cell, while Shourd has been in solitary confinement for the entire duration of the last year. The family says Shourd has only been able to spend moments with Bauer and Fattal each day, and they are concerned for her mental and physical health.
Bauer's mother, Cindy Hickey said she has not spoken to her son for months, but got to see him in Iran for a short time.
The family expects to continue working hours each day until all three hikers are home safe.
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