Saberi freed*

An Iranian appeals court today freed American journalist Roxana Saberi and suspended the 8-year sentence imposed by a lower court after convicting her on charges of espionage.

*Update: Alan Mutter offered this sobering reminder:

As we celebrate the liberation of journalist Roxana Saberi from prison in Iran, don’t forget that two other innocent American newswomen are being held on similarly trumped-up charges in North Korea.

Laura Ling and Euna Lee, two correspondents for San Francisco-based Current TV, have been detained in North Korea since March 17, when they were arrested while filming a story at the border between China and North Korea.

More jailed journalists

The case of jailed journalist Roxana Saberi has made headlines around the world, but two other journalists, Laura Ling and Euna Lee, jailed in a different "axis of evil" country, have hardly received the same level of attention. Alan Mutter explains why. (Read the Associated Press story.)

Iran sentences U.S. journalist to 8 years in prison

An Iranian court today sentenced American-born journalist Roxana Saberi to eight years in prison after trying her in secret on charges of spying for the United States. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton responded by saying she was "deeply disappointed" with the decision. An unnamed analyst told Reuters that the sentence "was likely to be commuted or reduced in a higher court."

The New York Times quotes an unnamed analyst saying the entire incident might be part of a plan to derail diplomatic talks between Iran and the United States.

From the NYT:

One political analyst in Iran, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the delicate subject matter, said Ms. Saberi’s arrest could be part of the efforts by radical forces within the establishment who might be trying to sabotage any reconciliation with the United States.

“There have been similar efforts in the past to sabotage efforts that were aimed at resuming ties with the United States,” he said. “Her jailing might be part of the same efforts."

Time magazine's Scott MacLeod has some thoughts on the conviction here.

Trial of U.S. journalist under way

Iranian officials revealed today that the trial of American journalist Roxana Saberi, 31, is already a day old. Iran has charged Saberi with being a spy.

From the NYT:

“She is charged with spying for foreigners,” the judiciary official, Alireza Jamshidi, told ISNA, a news agency. “The first session of the trial was held yesterday, and she defended herself for the last time.”

Mr. Jamshidi said the trial was being held behind closed doors because the charges against her were related to national security. “She was spying for America,” he said.

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has said that the United States is “deeply concerned” about the espionage charges and has asked Iranian diplomats for help in obtaining Ms. Saberi’s immediate release.