Quest for freedom a full-time job for mothers of 3 American hikers jailed for 1 year in Iran

Moms work full-time for hikers’ release from Iran

PINE CITY, Minn. — The moms of three Americans jailed in Iran are preparing for a bitter milestone since their arrest — one year in captivity.

Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd (SHORD) and Josh Fattal were detained one year ago on Saturday. Their families say they were hiking along the Iraqi border when they were arrested and deny Iran’s accusations that they were spying.

Trying to win their freedom has become a full-time job for their mothers, who have put their own careers and lives on hold as they try to keep pressure on the Iranian government.

In May, they were allowed to visit their children in Tehran. Since then, they’ve had no contact with them.

On Friday, the mothers will lead a demonstration outside the Iranian Mission to the U.N. in Manhattan.

Online: Free the Hikers: freethehikers.org