jakncoke
04-18-2009, 10:43 AM
AN American journalist has been jailed for eight years after an Iranian court convicted her of spying.
The trial of Roxana Saberi, 31, lasted just five days and took place behind closed doors.
Saberi, a freelance reporter for the BBC and America’s National Public Radio, was arrested in January initially for not carrying the correct press credentials. She was then accused of passing classified information to US intelligence services and taken to Tehran’s Evin jail.
The United States say the charges of espionage are baseless and have demanded her immediate release, while fellow journalists have set up an internet campaign to highlight her plight.
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US journalist awaits fate after Iran spy trial
American journalist charged with spying
A former Miss North Dakota, Saberi, who has an Iranian father and Japanese mother, moved to Iran six years ago. The 31-year-old is a citizen of both the United States and Iran, but Tehran does not recognise dual nationality status.
He trial began on Monday at Iran’s Revolutionary Court, which handles security of state issues.
Today her lawyer Abdolsamad Khorramshahi said the court had already reached its verdict.
“She has been sentenced to eight years ... I will appeal,” he said.
Her father Reza Saberi, who was not allowed to attend the trial, told the NPR that his daughter was weak and frail, and had been coerced and deceived by Iranian officials into making false statements.
He added: "She is quite depressed and wants to go on hunger strike."
The Iranian judiciary has yet to comment on her conviction or the sentence.
Her conviction comes at a time when the President Obama administration is trying to reach out the Islamic Republic.
Under Iran’s penal code, espionage can carry the death penalty. The Islamic Republic last year executed an Iranian businessman convicted of spying on the military for Israel.
For real Iran eff off, you morons. I hope the next war ****s up your **** hole of desert.
The trial of Roxana Saberi, 31, lasted just five days and took place behind closed doors.
Saberi, a freelance reporter for the BBC and America’s National Public Radio, was arrested in January initially for not carrying the correct press credentials. She was then accused of passing classified information to US intelligence services and taken to Tehran’s Evin jail.
The United States say the charges of espionage are baseless and have demanded her immediate release, while fellow journalists have set up an internet campaign to highlight her plight.
RELATED LINKS
US journalist awaits fate after Iran spy trial
American journalist charged with spying
A former Miss North Dakota, Saberi, who has an Iranian father and Japanese mother, moved to Iran six years ago. The 31-year-old is a citizen of both the United States and Iran, but Tehran does not recognise dual nationality status.
He trial began on Monday at Iran’s Revolutionary Court, which handles security of state issues.
Today her lawyer Abdolsamad Khorramshahi said the court had already reached its verdict.
“She has been sentenced to eight years ... I will appeal,” he said.
Her father Reza Saberi, who was not allowed to attend the trial, told the NPR that his daughter was weak and frail, and had been coerced and deceived by Iranian officials into making false statements.
He added: "She is quite depressed and wants to go on hunger strike."
The Iranian judiciary has yet to comment on her conviction or the sentence.
Her conviction comes at a time when the President Obama administration is trying to reach out the Islamic Republic.
Under Iran’s penal code, espionage can carry the death penalty. The Islamic Republic last year executed an Iranian businessman convicted of spying on the military for Israel.
For real Iran eff off, you morons. I hope the next war ****s up your **** hole of desert.