Families of US hikers held in Iran release video
AP / MICHELLE LOCKE
27-Oct-2009 (6 comments)

BERKELEY, Calif. —

The families of three Americans being held in Iran plan to release video footage that they say proves the three were simply on vacation and had no underhand intentions when they strayed across the border.

Shane Bauer, 27, Sarah Shourd, 31, and Josh Fattal, 27, have been detained since July 31. They apparently crossed into Iran by accident while hiking in a scenic area in northern Iraq. They have been visited by Swiss diplomats, who oversee U.S. interests in Iran, but have had no contact with their families.

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anonymous111.2

Nerds

by anonymous111.2 on Wed Oct 28, 2009 08:24 AM PDT

remind me of myself...something I prefer NOT to be reminded of!


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Shah Ghollam

I wonder

by Shah Ghollam on Tue Oct 27, 2009 10:36 PM PDT

Why is it that only Americans seem to walk across "enemy' nations? The case with two "American journalists' walking into North Korea not too long go is still fresh. Aren't these "kids" intelligent enough to know where go?

It is just possible, that if not for espionage" they are interested in making a buck. Historically, no country has really mall treated trespassers in such cases. Would it be unthinkable to for these people to conciously make such decisions to become "heros" in a political tit for tat and in the end get a lot cash for appearing on TV shows and not to mention loyalties for their books? 

This is becoming an industry for some to make mucho money in a short span of time.

 


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yolanda

......

by yolanda on Tue Oct 27, 2009 10:39 PM PDT

I think just a matter of time, they will be released. Roxana Saberi let go after being sentenced 8 years in jail for espionage, which is way more serious than what these 3 people did....IRI will bring US to her knees first, and then they will let the Americans go....

     I also read that when the 3 Americans were still in Iraq, the hotel people warned them not to take the hike 'cause it is very close to the Iranian border, the border is not clearly marked.....these 3 kids ignored the warning and took the hike anyway..... they should take some responsibility, too

thanks for the article

Here is the video link:

//video.aol.com/video-detail/raw-video-hikers-in-iraq-before-capture-in-iran/2489312713


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Onlyiran

benross

by Onlyiran on Tue Oct 27, 2009 08:40 PM PDT

I agree.  It's all about propaganda value, tit for tat and how much political / military / propaganda mileage they can get out of the situation.


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benross

It is more like American

by benross on Tue Oct 27, 2009 06:53 PM PDT

It is more like American youth 'joy ride' mentality -and an America that never grows up- that they think they can get away with anything. Any decent government would have fined them and sent them back where they came from. But decency is not in the language of IRI and its apologists.


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Ostaad

My heart goes out to these parents, but...

by Ostaad on Tue Oct 27, 2009 01:29 PM PDT

at this point they seem to be in need of a reality check. I don't doubt their belief about their children's "hiking" adventure in Iraq. A lot of parents don't have a clue what their children are up to most of the time.

However, there's not a single LOCAL Kord above the minimum of the age of walking and talking who does not know where the Iranian border with the Iraqi Kordestan is located. I am not accusing these youngsters of ANYTHING, but their parents' claim of "casual walking" should be taken with a super large grain of salt.

It seems to me the US has to launch vigorous diplomatic efforts to obtain their freedom at any cost.


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