NOVEMBER 2009

REPUBLISHED FROM KUSA 9|NEWS:

BOULDER – Life as Shannon Bauer knew it has basically come to a halt since her brother Shane was captured and detained in Iran.

Authorities in Iran have held Shane Bauer, Sarah Shoard and Josh Fattal for 104 days after they allegedly crossed the border from Iraq into Iran during a hiking trip. The Iranian government is accusing the three of espionage.

Shane Bauer’s sister, Shannon, lives in Boulder.

“It’s gone on way longer than anyone would have imagined it would,” Shannon Bauer said. “It is frustrating being 104 days and not hearing anything.”

Shannon Bauer and the families of Shoard and Fattal are relying on the Swiss government to get updated information on their loved ones. It’s still unclear what charges they could be facing.

“I definitely asked myself how long I can do it,” Shannon Bauer said, “[but] it’s a situation [where] I don’t know how not to do it because it’s my brother.”

Monday, the chief prosecutor in Tehran said the three have been accused of espionage, but the families have not been able to confirm anything.

“[Iranian President Mahmoud] Ahmadinejad recently said a few days ago that they are looking into illegal entry charges, and for us to even think about them being spies is like, it’s almost funny to us,” Shannon Bauer said.

She says the families remain hopeful the three will return home safely and they are drawing strength from those who know what it’s like to be in their shoes.

“It’s nice for us to talk to someone who’s gone through it and then finished. Like there was a light at the end of the tunnel for them,” Shannon Bauer said.

Journalist Lisa Ling says her life is finally getting back to normal after her sister Laura became one of two journalists detained in North Korea earlier this year. The women were released in August after 140 days in captivity.

“Our family was given a gift this year and we are truly, truly grateful,” Lisa Ling said.

Thursday, Ling spoke before a group of 2,000 in Denver at the Women’s Foundation of Colorado’s annual fundraiser.

She talked about Shane Bauer, Shoard and Fattal after her speech.

“I’ve tried to make myself as available as possible to the families of the hikers because I know what they’re going through and it kills me,” Ling said.

Shannon Bauer says the Ling family’s support, and that from the local community, have made each day a little easier. But she says her life won’t really be easy again until she knows her brother is home safe.

“The support we’ve gotten, we can’t thank everyone enough,” she said. “It’s such a long time and I think at this point we’re all just taking it day by day because that’s the only way we can.”

The families are starting a letter campaign where supporters can send notes to the detainees.

You can learn more at www.freethehikers.org.

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