Pa. mother of hiker arrested in Iran works 24/7 to free him, writes letters every day
By APSunday, February 14, 2010
Pa. mom campaigns to free hiker son held in Iran
PHILADELPHIA — A suburban Philadelphia woman says she’s been working 24/7 to win the releases of her son and two other hikers arrested in Iran.
Elkins Park resident Laura Fattal (fuh-TAHL’) tells The Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper that in between efforts to end the crisis she writes letters every day to her son, Josh Fattal, and his two companions. Sometimes she writes simply: “Josh, I’m sorry it’s taking so long.”
Relatives of Josh Fattal, Shane Bauer and Sarah Shourd say they were hiking in Iraq’s northern Kurdistan region in July when they accidentally crossed the border into Iran.
Iran’s foreign minister said in December the three University of California-Berkeley graduates would be tried. The country’s chief prosecutor says they’re accused of spying.
In October, Laura Fattal presented petitions to Iran’s United Nations mission in New York.
Information from: The Philadelphia Inquirer, www.philly.com
