BERKELEY, Calif. – Relatives of three American hikers detained in Iran are appealing to authorities for their quick release.
The petition, signed by 2,500 people, was submitted Thursday to the Iranian Mission to the United Nations in New York.
Twenty-seven-year-old Shane Bauer, 31-year-old Sarah Shourd and 27-year-old Josh Fattal were detained in late July after straying over the border during a hike in northern Iraq.
The petition says that family and supporters of the three "share the deep hope that the Islamic Republic of Iran will show compassion in this unfortunate case and release them as soon as possible."
The three were visited by the Swiss ambassador to Iran in late September, but have not had contact with their families.
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox