IRAN: Intl Support Mounts for Jailed Journalist

By Omid Memarian

BERKELEY, California, (IPS) - Since Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi was sentenced to eight years in prison last week on the charge of spying for foreign governments, human rights and press freedom groups have become increasingly critical of the political nature of her case and the harsh and unprecedented penalty.

A dual citizen of the U.S. and Iran, Saberi, 31, grew up in Fargo, North Dakota. Five years ago, she moved to Iran and began working as a freelancer for a variety of news agencies, including National Public Radio, BBC and Inter Press Service.

Saberi was arrested in January and initially accused of trying to buy wine, later of lacking valid press credentials, and finally with espionage.

"When she heard of the sentence, she found it unacceptable. She was shocked and distraught. It was totally unexpected for me, as well," Saberi’s lawyer Abdolsamad Khorramshahi told IPS by telephone from Tehran. "I had provided the court with reasoning which would refute the charges, and I continue to hold to my belief. I will provide my appeal to the court in 20 days."

Robert Baer, TIME.com's intelligence columnist and the author of "The Devil We Know: Dealing with the New Iranian Superpower", told IPS that unfortunately, Saberi has become caught up in the Iranian election cycle, with hardliners trying to prove they're tougher than their rivals when it comes to national security. 

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