Iran Allowing Mothers To Visit Three Imprisoned Americans

By The River Wanders

Following a bleak Mother’s Day, Iran announced it will issue visas for the mothers of the three American hikers currently being held (without formal charges) in Evin Prison in Tehran. Families are cautiously optimistic that Iran will furnish the necessary documentation. Sarah Shourd, Shane Bauer, and Josh Fattal have been detained in Iran since July, 2009 when they accidentally may have crossed over an unmarked section of the Iranian border.

The mothers – Laura Fattal, Nora Shourd, and Cindy Hickey – stand ready to leave at a moment’s notice. In Philadelphia, Laura Fattal, mother of Josh, said, “Our bags are packed. We can turn on a dime.” Hickey notes that she’s more hopeful than ever that Iran will keeps its word and allow the visits to proceed.

In California, where Berkeley is home to Nora Shourd, Senator Barbara Boxer announced,

“Last week four Senate colleagues and I appealed to the Iranian government to allow the families of Sarah, Josh, and Shane to travel to Iran to visit them. Today I received official word from the families that the Iranian government has finally approved their visas for travel.”

The visa approvals are a positive step forward as the families, human rights advocates, and the United States government press for the hikers’ safe return.

Being lost isn’t a crime.

By: TheRiverWanders

Independent parent, aspiring author and generally good egg with an occasional foul temper whose deepest curiosities lie in psychology, law, government, history, equal rights, animal rights and child development. Progressive. Allergic to stupid.