Franken, Klobuchar Applaud Senate's Passage Of Resolution Urging Immediate Release Of American Hikers Jailed In Iran

Press Release

Yesterday, the U.S. Senate approved a Congressional Resolution by Sens. Al Franken and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) urging the Iranian government to immediately release Minnesota native Shane Bauer, his fiancée Sarah Shourd, and their friend Josh Fattal. The three Americans have been detained since last July when they were taken into custody by the Iranian government while hiking in Iraq's Kurdistan region. The Congressional Resolution passed by unanimous consent.

"The fact that these three innocent Americans have been unjustly detained for over a year is incomprehensible," said Sen. Franken. "The Iranian government needs to release Shane, Sarah, and Josh immediately so that that they can be reunited with their families and start putting their lives back together."

"Over one year ago, these three American hikers were arrested and imprisoned by the Iranian government without cause and without charge," said Sen. Klobuchar. "There is no cause for their continued detention and it's time to stop using them as international pawns. Iran's leaders should act now and immediately release Shane, Sarah, and Josh and allow them to return home to their families."

In May, Sens. Klobuchar and Franken publicly urged Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to immediately release Bauer, Shourd, and Fattal. Barring that, the Senators asked that the hikers' families finally be allowed to see their children. Subsequently, the hikers' mothers were allowed to briefly visit their children in Iran. It was the only time the hikers have been allowed to see their families. Otherwise, they have had little contact with the outside world.

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