Families speak out in NYC to keep attention on US hikers missing in Iran

September 30th, 2009 Vigils planned for captive hikers in IranBERKELEY, Calif. — Supporters marked the two months since three U.S.

September 30th, 2009 Vigils planned nationwide for hikers held in IranBERKELEY, Calif. — Supporters of three American hikers detained in Iran are planning vigils around the country to draw attention to their plight.

September 25th, 2009 US, Canada ask Iran to resolve humanitarian casesNEW YORK — The U.S. and Canada are making a joint plea to Iran to resolve several cases of Americans and Canadians detained or missing in Iran.

September 24th, 2009 Muslim groups hopeful on hikers' release from IranUNITED NATIONS — Leaders of U.S. Muslim groups who met with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad say they are "guardedly optimistic" that three American hikers held there would be released soon.

September 23rd, 2009 Families hope to speak to US hikers held in IranMINNEAPOLIS — The families of three American hikers detained in Iran said Wednesday they were hopeful the three would be released and return home soon after Iran' president said he would ask the country's judiciary to be lenient in their case. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who is in New York City to speak to the United Nations later Wednesday, said in an Associated Press interview on Tuesday that he would ask the country's judiciary to expedite the process and to "look at the case with maximum leniency." Shane Bauer, 27, Sarah Shourd, 31, and Josh Fattal, 27, have been held in Iran for 53 days after apparently straying into the country while hiking in northern Iraq's Kurdistan region in late July.

September 22nd, 2009 Family holds out hope for hikers detained in IranPHILADELPHIA — The brother of one of three American hikers detained in Iran says the family hopes President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (ah-muh-DEE'-neh-zhahd) brings the trio with him when he visits the United Nations. Ahmadinejad is addressing the General Assembly on Wednesday in New York.

September 22nd, 2009 Iranian leader says he'll seek lenience for hikersNEW YORK — Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (ah-muh-DEE'-neh-zhahd) says he will request lenience for three American hikers who strayed across Iran's borders. In an interview with The Associated Press, the Iranian leader says the Americans broke the law.

August 20th, 2009 Families: US hikers detained in Iran are harmlessNEW YORK — Three American hikers detained in Iran are "totally harmless" travelers who carefully planned a trip in Iraq but apparently accidentally ended up crossing the border, their relatives said Thursday. Shane Bauer, Joshua Fattal and Sarah Shourd have been held for three weeks, their exact whereabouts unknown.

August 15th, 2009 US renews calls on Iran to release AmericansWASHINGTON — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is pressing Iran to release Americans who are detained or have gone missing there. Retired FBI agent Robert Levinson has been missing since March 2007.

August 11th, 2009 Families: American hikers entered Iran by mistakePHILADELPHIA — Three American hikers detained in Iran for nearly two weeks entered the country by mistake and their families are hoping for a quick resolution that will reunite them with their children, the families said in a statement Tuesday. Joshua Fattal, freelance journalist Shane Bauer and Bauer's girlfriend, Sarah Shourd, were hiking near a waterfall on a mountain in Iraq's self-ruled Kurdish region on July 31 when they accidentally crossed the border into Iran, according to family members.

August 11th, 2009 Statement from families of Americans held in IranStatement from the families of Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal regarding their detention in Iran: "It is now twelve days since our children were detained in Iran, when they strayed across the border while on a brief hiking vacation in Iraqi Kurdistan. As loving parents, nothing causes us more heartache than not knowing how our children are, and not being able to talk to them and learn when we will hold them in our arms again.

August 11th, 2009 Families: American hikers entered Iran by mistakePHILADELPHIA — The families of three American hikers being held in Iran say their children had no intention of entering Iran and that they hope the misunderstanding will be resolved quickly. Joshua Fattal, freelance journalist Shane Bauer and Bauer's girlfriend, Sarah Shourd, have been held in Iran since July 31.

August 9th, 2009 White House: Iran confirms 3 US hikers in custodyWASHINGTON —The White House says Iran has confirmed it has three American hikers in custody. The Americans strayed into Iran while hiking in the mountains of Kurdish territory in neighboring Iraq.

August 3rd, 2009 Clinton seeks info from Iran on missing hikersWASHINGTON — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton appealed to Iran on Monday for information about three missing Americans believed to have been arrested by Iranian authorities last week on an ill-fated hiking trip in northern Iraq. Clinton said that Swiss diplomats who represent U.S.

July 21st, 2009 Police find 3 missing American hikers in EcuadorQUITO, Ecuador — Rescuers found three U.S. college students Monday evening after they went missing during a weekend hike in Ecuador's northern Andes mountains.