Iran Hikers' Moms Start a Hunger Strike

Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal, the hikers imprisoned in Iran since 2009, have not seen their mothers since a hasty visit exactly one year ago today. To mark that anniversary, mothers Cindy Hickey and Laura Fattal today announced that they will start a hunger strike. They fear their sons have already begun their own hunger strike to protest the unexplained delay of a court hearing scheduled for May 11. The men have not been seen since a Feb. 6 court hearing, the Huffington Post reports.

"We have not had any news about Shane and Josh for many months and we are terrified that they have now gone on a hunger strike to protest against this latest, devastating delay," says Hickey. Fattal’s mother adds that “whoever is to blame for preventing our sons’ release is bringing shame on Iran.” Bauer’s fiancé, Sarah Shourd, says the hikers staged several hunger strikes while she was imprisoned, refusing food whenever authorities delayed bringing them to court. Click for more on the case. (More Shane Bauer stories.)