The original content of Democracy Now! Headlines appears under the Creative
Commons BY-NC-ND 3.0 License (United States). For more, including their other
shows and media, visit www.democracynow.org.
May 21, 2010

Jailed US Hikers Reunite with Mothers in First Public Appearance Since Arrests
------------------------------------------------------------------------------



The three US hikers jailed in Iran were reunited with their visiting
mothers on Thursday for the first time since their arrests last July.
Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal were detained after straying
across Iran’s border during a hiking trip in northern Iraq. Their
mothers arrived in Tehran this week after the Iranian government okayed
their visas. In their first public appearance since their detention, the
three hikers discussed their ordeal in prison. Sarah Shourd said she
spends most of her days in solitude.

Sarah Shourd: "This gesture, humanitarian gesture, it means everything
in the world to us. I’ve been thinking about my mother’s face and seeing
her smile and looking into her eyes for a really long time. Our
treatment is decent. It’s really difficult being alone. Shane and Joshua
are in a room together, but I’m alone, and that’s the most difficult
thing for me. But I see them twice a day, so...We have good food, and we
have medical care, which is appreciated. And we have reading materials
and television."

The three hikers have been held on espionage charges and could face
trial. Shane Bauer told reporters he maintains hope for being released.

Shane Bauer: "We hope that Iran can continue with the humanitarian
gestures, like letting our mothers come, by releasing us on humanitarian
grounds."



.