Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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May 10, 2009

Saberi Lawyer Optimistic About Appeal
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=24277BB:A6F02AD83191E160539B005A5F5F16EE98CBE7246176B735&
 
Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi was found guilty last month on
charges of espionage; Her family and the US government say the charges
are baseless 
Roxana Saberi in a 2004 National Press Photographers association file
image The lawyer for jailed Iranian-American Roxana Saberi says he is
optimistic about her fate, saying the Iranian appeal court's atmosphere
was "favorable" when he presented her defense. Saberi's lawyer
Abdolsamad Khorramshahi said he expects the court in Tehran to make its
decision regarding Saberi's eight-year prison sentence within the next
few days. The 32-year-old freelance journalist was found guilty last
month on charges of espionage. Her family and the U.S. government say
the charges against her are baseless. Saberi's father Reza Saberi says
the journalist ended a hunger strike Monday at Evin prison after
refusing to eat for nearly two weeks. Witnesses to Sunday's closed-door
proceedings say Saberi appeared tired and thin when she arrived at the
courthouse. Iran has criticized international involvement in the case,
saying the judiciary is independent and outside interference contradicts
international norms.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP.


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