Video: Mother Appeals to Iranian Leader to Release American Hikers

The mother of imprisoned American hiker Sarah Shourd released a video appealing to the Iranian Supreme Leader for the release of her daughter and two hiking companions. Along with Shourd, Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer were detained back in July after allegedly crossing over into Iranian territory (presumably on accident) while trekking in Northern Iraq. Recently it has been reported that the Iranian government plans to charge the 3 hikers with espionage related crimes. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has called the charges unfounded and is asking for their release.

According to friends and family the three hikers are experienced travelers and have lived abroad.

Reports say they accidentally crossed an unmarked border while hiking in the mountains of Iraqi Kurdistan near the Ahmed Awa waterfall, a local beauty spot. They were in a peaceful region of northern Iraq that is increasingly popular with Western tourists attracted by its natural beauty, traditional culture and long history. The three hikers, all graduates of UC Berkeley, entered northern Iraq with visas from Turkey on July 28 and had planned to spend five days visiting the area.

I have to say, I consider myself to have an above average desire for adventure, but hiking along the Iranian border in Northern Iraq seems a bit like flirting with disaster to me. You might as well go tap dance on the 38th parallel and see what happens.

We can only hope this ends soon, and that all three are returned safely. For more information, visit: freethehikers.org