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Blog/Latest News - 24th April 2010 - 3 Comments »

Three American Hikers in Evin–Depression, Sickness, and Hunger Strikes

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Last Thursday, members of the Swiss Embassy in Tehran met with the three young American hikers arrested last July on Iran’s western border. The meeting was their third in the past ten months. During this meeting, Swiss diplomats representing US interests in Iran had long discussions with the American detainees.

A source close the hiker’s families told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that the detainees described disturbing episodes in their meeting. While in detention, the three prisoners’ health has deteriorated for various reasons and are in poor mental form due to depression caused by their indeterminate state.

Mothers of the three Americans, Josh Fattal, Sarah Shourd, and Sean Bauer, have applied for Iranian visas in the past few months. Iranian authorities announced on 6 January 2010, that they would grant visas to the families. Since that time though, no family members have been granted a visa. The same source told the Campaign: “Though the Iranian authorities said visas were issued, so far they have used various excuses to not issue them. Once they even said that the photographs were not taken properly. The aging parents of the prisoners are deeply sad and depressed because they have done their best in the past few months to remain positive in their attempts to establish contact with the Iranian government, but it has been all for naught.”

She added: “Hearing that the three of them are considering hunger strikes has shocked their families. They ask themselves, what could be happening in prison to cause them to make such a decision? As they have no contact with the outside world and their health seems to have deteriorated during their months of detention, we really don’t know how to find out whether they are on hunger strikes.”

The families of the three American prisoners have issued a statement and have asked the Iranian government to release their children. They have also asked to be allowed to travel to Tehran. The families have said in their statements that Sarah Shourd is kept in a different cell from other prisoners and is allowed to meet with Josh and Sean twice a day. According to their statement, the two men are also kept separate from other prisoners.



3 Comments

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Ben
May 10, 2010 0:13

I feel for the families and loved ones of these three giant morons. What the hell were they thinking hiking so close to the border of a known rogue state? Not to mention the fact that Iraq isn’t exactly safe either. If they had thought a little more for their parents and a little less of their wanton need for an adventure this would not have happened. And now half the world is expending time and energy on their behalf trying to secure their release. And this coming after the North Korea incident with the two reporters. I hope and pray they will be released soon, for the sake of their mothers. When they do get released I hope they will get on national television and really express remorse for all the heartache and trouble they have caused everyone. Stupid stupid stupid irresponsible people.

Donna
Aug 14, 2010 20:44

Ben – that is the stupidest comment I have ever seen. How dare you scold these people for traveling. There are always risks taken when traveling to any country.

You may as well be supporting the idea that they deserve this treatment and the world should NOT expend energy for their safety. They are innocent civilians, and deserve the world to care. Why not say to all the other people who are standing up for their beliefs and rights that they are stupid. These hikers had every right to hike where it was safe. Research and look up what really happened to them.

Michael Roy Wiggins
Aug 27, 2010 20:58

Love Amun I am really your God! I live amongst you, I am the father of “Your Heart” I’m often called God Jesus Christ! Almighty Michael United Nations goes all the way back to Egypt, I’m the heavenly father, son and holy spirit “True Creator of all things in heaven and on earth”! Christianity was created by me and my other son Christian who dearly wanted peace everywhere! Pray for Peace In One Night to Giam “God Is Almighty Michael” “Daniel 12″ call me “Amun Horus” and read a King James bible that isn’t just english contemporary it should always include love AH! Some others call me Word Of God! I never lie to anyone, you can see in some testiments the scripture is written several ways “Battle” between good an Evil! Fear Me I have every power of the Universe Under My Feet at all times! In my anger I lifted my feet “My Genes” are true heritage to King David and I even fought in my own name Lord Of Hosts! UFO show 2005-2007 I am your hero awaiting your trust in my name! Eternal Life is the Victory for all who trust is in me “God Jesus Christ” Colossians 2:9 God lives fully in christ! I’m living in my temple I made in my mothers very womb! Muslims come back to your true “Living God” I’ll be waiting for you to return, “Love” Almighty “Invisible” God!

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