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Sister Of Hiker Detained In Iran To Hold Vigil

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Nov 4, 2009 7:13 pm US/Mountain

Sister Of Hiker Detained In Iran To Hold Vigil

Reporting
Shaun Boyd
BOULDER, Colo. (CBS4) ― A Boulder woman is organizing a national effort as she tries to get her brother freed from captivity in Iran.

Shane Bauer, 27, and his two friends, Sarah Shourd, 31, and Josh Fattal, 27, were hiking in a scenic part of northeastern Iraq when they apparently wandered into Iran and were taken in to custody. The border between the two countries is unmarked. They've been contained in Iran since July suspected of espionage.

The hikers' families say that hundreds of people will gather on Boulder's Pearl Street Mall and 20 other cities across the country this weekend for vigils to show support for the hikers.

The families say the hikers had no intention of crossing the border into Iran.

"In the beginning I tried to be ready for a long amount of time, but nothing can prepare you for this amount of time," Shane's sister Shannon Bauer said.

Since their capture the hikers have had no contact with their families or even the U.S. government, which has no diplomatic relations with Iran. The families have been on their own in their effort get the hikers freed.

"We feel like that a lot of people together will be able to send good energy and love to them," Shannon said.

The families also released a video shot by Shon Meckfessel, a fourth American on the trip who did not go hiking with the others because he was feeling ill. The families hope the video will show the hikers had no other purpose in being there than to be on vacation.

Shannon says some in the government have been helpful, even though they have their hands tied.

"The state department and various Congress members have been so helpful for us," she said.

Shannon hopes the vigils will send a message to the Iranian government.

"One hundred days is punishment enough."

The Iranian government has yet to charge the hikers. Switzerland's ambassador has seen them twice and says they are in good health.

The vigil in Boulder will begin at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday on the Pearl Street Mall.

(© MMIX CBS Television Stations, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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