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Joel Gross
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Klobuchar Responds to Announcement that U.S. Hikers Detained in Iran Will Stand Trial
December 14, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Today U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar released the following statement in response to the announcement by Iranian officials that three U.S. citizens, including former Minnesotan Shane Bauer, will be tried by Iran’s judiciary system.
Klobuchar Statement:
“These three young Americans made a simple mistake in apparently straying across the border into Iran, and any formal charges against them are unwarranted and unreasonable. There is no cause for their continued detention, and nothing will be gained by prolonging it any further. Iran’s leaders should demonstrate the necessary compassion and immediately release Shane, Sarah, and Josh and allow them to return home to their families.”
The three Americans were on a hiking trip in Northern Iraq when they reportedly accidentally crossed into Iran in late July. Since then, Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal have been held in near isolation in a Tehran prison and have been allowed no contact with their families in the United States.
In September, Klobuchar joined other Senators to introduce a resolution urging the government of Iran to release the hikers.
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