Iran Considering Family Visit for US Hikers

One of the detained hikers a local man

Iran's top human rights official says the country's authorities are considering a request by the families of three detained American hikers to visit them in prison.

Mohammad Javad Larijani, the secretary general of Iran's High Council for Human Rights, says the Swiss ambassador in Tehran made the request to his office “about 2-3 weeks ago.”

Switzerland represents U.S. consular interests in Iran.

Larijani says security officials and judges are examining the request. He told reporters in Geneva on Tuesday that his office has recommended that the request be granted.

Their families say Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal were hiking in Iraq's northern Kurdistan region in July when they accidentally crossed the border into Iran.

Fattal is from Elkins Park and a graduate of Cheltenham High School.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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