BBC -- An Iranian-American journalist branded a US spy has been jailed for eight years by Iran after a brief trial held behind closed doors.
Roxana Saberi, 31, who was arrested in January and went on trial this week, denies the charge and plans to go on hunger strike, her father said.
Ms Saberi has reported for a number of foreign news organisations including the BBC, NPR radio and Fox News.
The US Secretary of State said she was "deeply disappointed" at the verdict.
The journalist originally faced the less serious accusation of buying alcohol, and later of working as a journalist without a valid press card.
Then, in a period of less than two weeks, the charge of spying was introduced, and she was tried by the Revolutionary Court and sentenced.
No evidence of espionage was made public >>>
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One IRI supporter with multiple names...
by Anonymous anti-iri (not verified) on Sat Apr 18, 2009 09:50 PM PDTis spreading more venom than a deadly Kobra to this innocent girl. She was in iran because that is her country more than it is any IRI leader's and supporter's country.
And it is none of anyone's business how she was supporting herself. She was living with her father's family there.
A confused commenter said:
why another Masters in International Relations?
Because not everyone wants to remain as uneducated as IRI leaders and supporters who find all the answers in a stupid book from an arab child-molestor who lived 1400 years ago. IRI supporters have nothing else to say when they resort to "eeraade bani esraeeli" and ask "soaale ahmaghaneh".
Even if she did something against IRI, good for ALL true iranians and god bless her.
ماشالاه به این نظام عدل علی!!
me mehran (not verified)Sat Apr 18, 2009 09:33 PM PDT
ببینید اصلا صحبت از چیز هایی مثل قانون و حقوق بشر در نظام ج.ا. نباید کرد. رژیم اسلامی این دختر بیگناه را میخواهد به عنوان برگ برنده در مذاکراتش با امریکا استفاده کند و بس. این روزها هم هر کس را که بخواهند میگیرند و به جرم جاسوسی (بگذریم از این که چه چیزی داریم که قابل جاسوسی باشد) و یا به جرم براندازی نرم و غیره میگیرند. این دختر به زودی آزاد خواهد شد و شرم طبق معمول به آقایان میماند.
zebel20..the fly..
by Kurush (not verified) on Sat Apr 18, 2009 08:12 PM PDTzebel20
you are right to point out Americas's undeomcratic, plutocratic 5%, the US military and the whole of US intelligence apparatus are their mercenaries. The choice of an Iranian with dual citizenship is a convenient disguise for an operator. Saberi's press credentials were revoked by the Iranian government in 2006, what was she doing in Iran, how was she earning her living/travelling in Iran? Surely Dad was not sending her money. I agree with you .. it is not the first time an Iranian betray his/her country, they helped overthrow Mossadegh and now are engaged under the guidance of their masters in Washington and London to replace the current sovreign government with a puppet one as was Shah's regime.
the fly
astute observation. NPR was gutted by Gingrich back in the 90's, ever since they have been cheerleaders for neocon's wonderful brave new world. BBC has had a well-known incestous relationship with MI6 of Britain, ranging from disinformation implants, to agent insertion under the guise of BBC journalists. MI6 historian, Stephen Dorril, states that MI6's IRD (Information Research Department) 'regarded its relationship with the BBC as perhaps its most important and it became, according to one former IRD operative, "the official source" for IRD's services.' It is certainly of no co-incidence that Saberi was working for BBC.
innocent? or guilty?
you are right. Is it not interesting that given the dirty subversive jobs the Anglo-American saboteur have done with regards to our dear country (what happened to Moosadegh should be always a stern reminder) a lot of people fall for the same lies again and again.
I think Sabberi is an agent inserted by the CIA/MI6, that she was followed meticulously by Iran's counter-intelligence and was exposed eventually, perhaps caught red-handed.
Hostage Crisis II
by shirazie (not verified) on Sat Apr 18, 2009 07:43 PM PDTwhat a shame. she is a bright and beautiful woman who is becoming a pawn in IRI games.
IRI's survivor depends on bad relationship with USA. So here we go again... IRI is doing everything to stop forward movement.
Thanks for the link
by Yolanda (not verified) on Sat Apr 18, 2009 05:34 PM PDTThanks for the link. I always wanted to watch the 1998 soccer game US vs Iran.
thanks,
I feel ashamed and sad
by A father (not verified) on Sat Apr 18, 2009 05:11 PM PDTOur daughters are both Iranian and American.
It is so sad that government in Iran, treats our
kids, and lets not forget this happened to Esha Momeni as
well, as outsiders.
Yesterday, IRIB showed Ahmadi Nejad asking Iranian
people who have immigrated to bring their money back
to Iran to invest.
If you are treating our children like this, which are
also children of Iran, do you think people want to then
invest in Iran?
I heard Roxana is very frail and has threatened to
not eat and go on hunger strike. As a father I can
not imagine what Roxanas father must be going through.
I hope and prey for her immediate release.
Please, please can all of us put our ideology aside and
think of her poor family and what they must be going
through knowing their girl is depressed and in a prison?
Does anybody think a reporter will be a spy? Is that
not too obvious?
Do you have kids who you want to go to Iran one day?
And is this the impression of Iran you want them to
have?
The concept and dfnition of the term "SPY"
by Daadgar (not verified) on Sat Apr 18, 2009 04:32 PM PDTSorry but I like to say my comment which is just a simple definition for spy in Persian:
Jasus kist? Jasus fardi hast ke be surati be ettelaate tabaghebandi shodeheye keshvare matbuash, dastresi darad- ettelaati ke az serri ya mahramaneh budanesh agah budeh va dar ezaye angizehaye maddi ya sisasi ba keshvari biganeh mowrede moamele gharar migirad.
Ba tavajoeh be tarife sadeye bala, porseshe man in hast ke Roxana Saberi ke serfan khabarnegar budeh(ba ya bi mojavez!) chegune be ettelaate tabaghebandi shodeye jomhuriye eslami dastresi dashteh? In dastresi az tarighe mahalle kare ishan nemitavanad bashad chera ke ishan dar jayi ke emkane vojude ettelaate seri bude bashad, faaliate shoghli nadashtand.
Ba in vojud tanha yek rah baraye dastresi be chenin ettelaate serri hast : az tarighe ertebat ba fardi digar ke hamchin shakhsi na vojud dashteh va na dastgir shodeh! begzarim ke aslan malum nist ke in khanum cheh nowyi az ettelaate tabaghenabdi shodeh ra jasusi mikardeh?! nezami? amniati? ... ?
In che etehami hast ke mowrede etteham hatta mobham va dar hadde tohmat mandeh!
Na inkeh mane Irani az bidadgahaye nezame estebdadiye mazhabi entezare edalat va hatta ehteram be ghanune bidadgare khodeshan ra dashte basham, amma khastam tarhe porsesh konam.
Ba in vojud balaye 85% az mellate Iran jasus hastand chon mesle regime fekr nemikonand
EVEN WORSE BULLSHIT. URGENT PLEASE READ. Roxana is.
by rosie is roxy is roshan on Sat Apr 18, 2009 07:24 PM PDTRoxana is a pawn in a geopolitical game clearly, it could be..say..Roxana for...ya know, nukes..but she's ALSO a pawn as one of the many victims of a full-frontal attack on human rights in IRI in the last few weeks. The issue here is, how much and how will IRI human rights in general figure as a bargaining chip with O and EU in the new geopolitical climate.
NOW DELARA is scheduled for execution IN TWO DAYS. The left-handed beauty and artist convicted for a murder commited by a right-handed person when she was only a teen. NOW, TRUST ME, HILLARY'S WATCHING OVER ROXANA. But only we can help Delara.
International human rights groundswells such as Delara's HAVE saved death row inmates. And the reprieve ALWAYS comes at the eleventh hour. It's ten o'clock folks.
WE CAN SAVE DELARA BUT WE MUST ACT NOW!
//iranian.com/main/node/62070
PS JAHANSHAH, PLEASE MAKE DELARA IRANIAN OF THE DAY TOMORROW.MONDAY'S THE BIG DAY.
Thanks, Rosie
هموطنان عزیز دستپاچه نشید.
یعقوب خادمی (not verified)Sat Apr 18, 2009 04:14 PM PDT
نزدیک به اسطلاح انتخابات است و اینهم شگرد این آقایون است که همیشه یک بنده خدا رو بازیچه مقاصد و منافع شخصی خودشون کنند. مطمئنم این خانم بزودی آزاد خواهد شد.
Some strange things about the Roxana Saberi story...
by Isadora (not verified) on Sat Apr 18, 2009 04:05 PM PDTI feel very badly for Roxana Saberi and for her family, and I hope that she is released very soon.
That said, one must admit that there are some very strange things about what we are being told about Roxana. She has been living in Iran for six years. How? Is she independently wealthy? Still supported by her parents at the age of 31? She already had 2 Masters degrees, including one in International Relations from Cambridge (the other is a Masters in Broadcast Journalism from Northwestern). I can understand pursuing a Masters in Iranian Studies, but why another Masters in International Relations?
She certainly couldn't support herself as a freelance journalist. She wrote exactly three stories that can be found on the BBC website--two about Tajikistan in late 2006 and one about Kurds in May 2007. In another story on the BBC website dated Jan. 24, 2006, however, she is the representative World Football: "Disqualifying Iran's team from the World Cup would create an uproar in Iran, said World Football's Roxana Saberi in Tehran.
NPR? Here are all the stories she did for NPR since 2003, according to a Search on the NPR website :
» Middle East: Tehran Enforces Dress Restrictions
Aug-02-2007, Day to Day
» Middle East: Iranians Riot After Gas-Rationing Program Begins
Jun-27-2007, Day to Day
» Middle East: Wary Reaction in Iran to News of Talks with U.S.
May-15-2007, Morning Edition
» News: Iran Calls Release of British Troops a 'Gift'
Apr-04-2007, Day to Day
» Middle East: Impasse with Britain Stirs Angst in Iran
Apr-01-2007, Weekend Edition - Sunday
» Middle East: Iran Moves on Enrichment Despite Sanctions
Dec-27-2006, Morning Edition
» Religion: Iranians Urged to Dress More Conservatively
Oct-18-2006, Day to Day
»World: Iran Bans Women from Attending Men's Soccer Games
May-17-2006, Morning Edition
»Middle East: Iran Provides Money to Palestinian Government
Apr-17-2006, Morning Edition
»World: Reaction in Iran to Possible U.N. Sanctions
Feb-02-2006, Day to Day
»Middle East: Plane Crash in Tehran Kills More than 100
Dec-06-2005, All Things Considered
»Middle East: Iranian Military Plane Crashes into Tehran Building
Dec-06-2005, Morning Edition
»Middle East: Iran's New Leader Vows to Restart Nuclear Program
Jun-27-2005, Morning Edition
»Arts & Culture: 'The Lizard' Raises Eyebrows in Iran
May-13-2004, Morning Edition
»Muslim Clerics Bar Liberals from Iran Elections
Jan-12-2004, Day to Day
»World: Relief Efforts Take Hold in Iran
Dec-31-2003, All Things Considered
»Weapons Inspectors Assess Iran's Nuke Program
Nov-07-2003, Day to Day
»Fighting Against Discrimination in Iran
Sep-09-2003, Day to Day
»Is Cuba Jamming U.S. Broadcasts to Iran?
Jul-31-2003, Day to Day
»World: IAEA Chief to Visit Iran for Nuke Talks
Jul-01-2003
»U.S. and Iran Relations
May-28-2003, Talk of the Nation
As for Fox News, every story that comes up when searching for "Roxana Saberi" available on the Fox website is about her detention and imprisonment. I haven't been able to find one that she actually reported. Even more odd is the fact almost all of what Fox does have about her are reports from the Associated Press and other news sources. As one of their own reporters, wouldn't you imagine that they would take it more personally? A partly original item by Fox News' own Greta Van Sustern says "She has reported from there for several news organizations, including National Public Radio" and never mentions Fox News at all!
I am in no way apologizing for the actions of the Iranian government, and certainly don't think she should be imprisoned. I hope and pray that she is released soon. However, as I noted at the outset, there are some very strange things about the Roxana Saberi story that have thus far gone unnoticed.
What the hell was she doing there anyway?
by fs (not verified) on Sat Apr 18, 2009 03:59 PM PDTWhat the hell was she doing there? Of course she was a spy - there is no reason for an american freelance journalist to be there and buying booze on top of that!!!! At least she's not hanging from a noose!!!!
Try again.
by Rajab. (not verified) on Sat Apr 18, 2009 03:56 PM PDTCommenter said:
its not a first time an Iranian betray our country over money
True! IRI leaders have betrayed iran and iranians for the last 30 years. How can anyone compete with them in that arena?
Dig beh dig migeh koonet siaast!
And Obama wants talk to these brutal Mullahs...
by Anonymous on Sat Apr 18, 2009 03:42 PM PDTObviously they will use her to get some more apologies from Obama since he is on his "apology" tour around the world... this is what happens when a Obama legitimizes the Mullahs by refereeing them in his "Norooz" message as if the regime is worthy of any mention..
Mullahs' have sensed a weak Obama and they are going to play him like you have never seen before...in the meatime a lot of innocent people will get hurt...No one with american passport should travel to Iran, they will use anyone they can to get more out of Obama
Haj, will you please check your contact us e-mail
by rosie is roxy is roshan on Sat Apr 18, 2009 03:39 PM PDTaccount in a couple of hours, I have something important to send you. But I know you only check it sporadically and can't find your regular e-address. Lotsa luv, r.
by the way what do you mean
by zebel20 on Sat Apr 18, 2009 03:32 PM PDTby the way what do you mean by a low life regime, the president in the white house is appointed to be there as a hand puppet with no power, he is there for the interest of a few rich private bankers. beside speaking of justice, let me know about america and how so 5% of americans have control over 80% of americas wealth.
real journalists have a press id card,
by Anonymous123123123 (not verified) on Sat Apr 18, 2009 03:31 PM PDTreal journalists have a press id card, Agents don't!
I don’t see the argument
by zebel20 on Sat Apr 18, 2009 03:26 PM PDTI don’t see the argument here, at least she had a trial, don’t they arrest, imprison individuals without an access to a liar in America without having any evidence whatsoever. Beside last thing our government what’s is to attract more negative attention over our homeland so I believe they have a strong case over this, lets face it, its not a first time an Iranian betray our country over money.
an inconvinient question to the people and to JJ
by Anonymous8 (not verified) on Sat Apr 18, 2009 03:24 PM PDTdoes anyone here care about the Iranians civilians detained by Bush currently being held in Iraq FOR OVER 2 YEARS without charge? don't they have families?
//ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=37142
some have been tortured
//www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,288554,00.html
where are the petitions? The outrage ? the calls for release and disgust?
its easy to be outraged when you just repeat one sided US media repots.
No surprise
by MRX1 on Sat Apr 18, 2009 03:23 PM PDTWhen you have a wimp in a white house that constantly appologizes to every low life regime in the world what do you expect. Second comming of jimmy carter and this is the consequence of it.
آخ ننه این ما یه شرمه که این جوان گرفتار شده
madar (not verified)Sat Apr 18, 2009 03:22 PM PDT
جای نارا حتی است که این جوان در بازی سیا سی ملا ها و بچه ملا ها باید ضرر زندگی بده. ولی یکی باید بهش بگه مگر درد داشتی بری ایران و خودت را پرت کنی تو دل این ریش و پشما بپو ش. این خیر ندیده ها به همه چیز ریدن و لااقل بوی ان را میبا یستی از راه دور تجربه میکردی ننه تا اینکه بری ایران و خلا صه از نزدیک خاک بر سر کنی. به امید آزادی شما جوان عزیز و زیبا
Kafguir koo?
by Hajminator on Sat Apr 18, 2009 03:21 PM PDTI agree with Ali P. By definition spies have to have knowledge on something valuable to transfer to a foreign country, and Mrs. Saberi, as someone who lived very partially in Iran;, doesn’t have such a deep knowledge or access to such information. Second, in Iran the sentence for spying is death not a 8 years jail term!
I also think that mullahs did a blunder. I would have hope but doubt that the final aim is her liberation in a sprit of generosity. What is strange is why have mullahs chosen Mrs. Saberi as a bargaining chip pawn in their new opening policy with the US? Why a beauty queen who can undermine more the image of IRI in the West? A beauty held by monsters is a part of the Western culture which motivates princes to go and fight the beast for her rescue. Kafguireh mullahs khordeh taheh digue? It should be easy to move back mullahs on this issue by denouncing loudly this injustice.
TIME TO ACT
by Ayatoilet (not verified) on Sat Apr 18, 2009 03:09 PM PDTIt is time for true Iranians to stand up and use anything that cuts to cut the Islamic Republic.
wrong and right...
by The Fly (not verified) on Sat Apr 18, 2009 02:30 PM PDTI'll be the fly in everyone's ointment here. Certainly this verdict is unjust, inhumane, and must be condemned. The entire proceeding and what they did to her is a disgrace. But then it's the IRI. Disgrace is their bread and butter.
Having said that, reporting for BBC and Fox News is also a disgrace. With their tract record of lies, half-truth, omissions, disinformation and shameful servitude to centers of power, an Iranian should be ashamed to work for them. These networks have consistently supported and aided in dressing up all manners of barbarity done to Iran and other countries. The IRI is a convenient target for them, and have no doubt, that should Iran become "democratic" in any manner other than that which is prescribed from Washington and London, Fox and BBC will be there to help and bring it down. To report for such outfits is nothing but cowardice and cajoling to power.
Plus, lets not forget that both Fox and BBC are on the record admitting that they have quiet often cooperated with the American and British intelligence services. Some of their known operations in Central and South America, Asia, and Africa have been in support of toppling democratically elected governments.
NPR is also now suspect after Bush successfully gutted out all effective mechanisms for assuring independence and stuffed it with Republican operatives such as its former disgraced boss Kenneth Tomlinson. The only thing left to put the cherry on Miss Saberi's career as a house slave is reporting for VOA!
Ayhab, you are right. More than right. The EXACT words
by rosie is roxy is roshan on Sat Apr 18, 2009 02:36 PM PDTare bargaining chip. Please read my two last long posts on the following thread and you will understand the dimensions of this "chip" in this new great game. People like us who are TRULY on the "left" side of the specturm apologize for NOTHING, we have to speak up loudly. And we have to start to tell the truth of the evils of BOTH sides of the game. It is TRUTH that is the key to the future. To speak truth to power. Not strategies for agendas. TRUTH to POWER. On a global scale. With the Internet as our main tool.
Think locally. Think globally. Act.
//iranian.com/main/2009/apr/get-out-and-vote-time
dk, PEOPLE,there is a predicament even more urgent than Roxana's
by rosie is roxy is roshan on Sat Apr 18, 2009 02:42 PM PDTDK wrote just below about the event for human rights in Ira:
The predicament although less dramatic of Roxane Saberi
The event you post is crucial They are part of the very survival of Iranian human rights organizations. But unbwleivale as it may seem, the predicament right now with a young woman as beautiful and talented as Roxana is far more dramatic. Hillary is watching over Roxana. Delara Darabi has no one but us. And we CAN make a difference. But it has to be NOW. Not tomorrow. Now.
PEOPLE, PLEASE see my post two posts below and PLEASE Do SOMETHING. WRITE THE LETTERS SCE ASKS YOU TO> THEY HAVE WORKED IN THE PAST. THEY CAN WORK AGAIN.
Yes unfortuanely thre is a beautiful talented young woman whose situation is FAR MORE DRAMATIC THAN ROXANA'S.
"Trial"
by dkf (not verified) on Sat Apr 18, 2009 02:11 PM PDTA secret trial is not a trial. Maybe they are thinking that the US has no right to complain because of Gitmo. This is a mistake. The tit-for-tat approach will never enhance their international reputaiton, even vis-a-vis the US. They reinforce a stereotype of misogynist, tyranical, bigoted reactionaries. People in the West will continue to dismiss them as "Taliban with nukes." It is a stupid game they are playing.
TURN April 25th Concert in Support FOR SCE Campaign & Human Righ
by Darius Kadivar on Sat Apr 18, 2009 02:05 PM PDTTURN April 25th Concert into a Moral Support FOR SCE Campaign & Human Rights !
SOME OFFICIAL STANCE AND DECLARATION WOULD BE WELCOMED !
The predicament although less dramatic of Roxane Saberi or Hossein Derakhshan a blogger on Iranian.com should Not be Ignored on such an occasion where their names should be reminded !
I hope that some kind of declaration could be made during the April 25th Concert in Support of the SCE Campaign and Why not have Nazanin come and Speak along with the Support of KIOSK and ASLANI ETC ...
ARTISTS SHOULD MOBILIZE FOR A JUST AND NOBLE CAUSE LIKE THIS WHICH FOR ONCE IS NOT POLITICAL BUT HUMANE !
My Humble Opinion,
DK
I could be wrong
by capt_ayhab on Sat Apr 18, 2009 01:31 PM PDTI could be wrong BUT I think that those IR bastards may have done this purposefully so they could have more bargaining chips IF there is a meeting and dialogue with US.
They have learned their lessons very well since the hostage crises of US Embassy.
Roxi, I agree with you totally. It seems like a sick game to me. And the poor victim happen to be her.
-YT
U.S. does the same shit . . .
by 2B2 (not verified) on Sat Apr 18, 2009 01:17 PM PDTU.S. does or has done the same or similar shit. Iraq and Afghanestan are good reminders.
She should be freed soon, but she had many messages to live earlier, she is partly at fault.
Iran has been hurt MORE by Iranians or so called Iranians who have dual nationalities in comparison to non-Iranians.
Who knows
by Innocent? or Guitly? (not verified) on Sat Apr 18, 2009 12:53 PM PDTWe dont know if she is a spy or not. Why is everyone assuming this is bullshit or she is innocent. If US government dedicates $100 million to overthrow the government, why cant she be part of that plan of "regime change?" Not everyone is guilty, but not everyone is also innocent. But she did work for BBC and FOX...it's not like she was completely apolitical or worked for media outlets that didnt have an agenda...