Iran / Middle East & North Africa

  

Iranian president orders review of Roxana Saberi’s case

New York, April 20, 2009–In response to a letter sent on Sunday by Iran’s president urging the public prosecutor to ensure justice for Iranian-American ‎journalist Roxana Saberi, the Committee to Protect Journalists called today for Saberi to be released on bail pending her appeal. An Iranian Revolutionary Court found Saberi guilty of espionage and sentenced…

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Iranian blogger detained

On December 30, 2008, a spokesman for the Iranian Judiciary confirmed in a press conference in Tehran that Hossein Derakhshan, an Iranian-Canadian blogger, had been detained since November 2008, in connection with comments he allegedly made about a key cleric, according to local and international news reports.

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CPJ

CPJ: Saberi trial lacks transparency

CPJ’s Robert Mahoney says in an interview with NPR that Roxana Saberi’s trial was not transparent. He urges restrained rhetoric but continued advocacy and diplomacy with Iran. 

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In Iran, Roxana Saberi sentenced to eight years in prison

New York, April 18, 2009–An Iranian court convicted journalist Roxana Saberi of espionage and sentenced her to eight years in prison today following a closed, one-day trial earlier this week, according to international news reports. Her lawyer said he will appeal. “Roxana Saberi’s trial lacked transparency and we are concerned that she may not have been…

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Saberi appears in a closed Revolutionary Court trial

New York, April 14, 2009–Iranian authorities must ensure that journalist Roxana Saberi, who has been charged with espionage, is treated fairly and justly, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. The Iranian-American freelancer, who was arrested in late January, appeared in court for the first time on Monday. 

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In Iran, Roxana Saberi charged with espionage

New York, April 8, 2009–The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by news reports that the Iranian government has charged Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi with espionage. 

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Reza Saberi holds a picture of his daughter Roxana. (AP)

Saberi’s parents go to Iran; State Department intervenes

On Monday, the parents of detained Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi left their home in Fargo, North Dakota, to go see their daughter in Iran. Saberi has been held in Tehran’s Evin prison since January 31. Reza and Akiko Saberi are scheduled to arrive in Iran on Wednesday. Since Saberi was picked up at the end…

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Report says Iran may hold Saberi for prolonged period

New York, March 25, 2009–The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by a news report indicating that Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi might remain in a Tehran prison for a prolonged period. In a telephone conversation with her father, Saberi said a prosecutor told her she would remain in detention for “months or even years,” The…

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Blogger dies in Iran’s Evin prison

New York, March 19, 2009–The Committee to Protect Journalists called today  for an immediate investigation into the March 18 death of an Iranian blogger imprisoned in Tehran’s notorious Evin prison‎. 

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Major news outlets issue statement on Saberi

Seven major news organizations including NPR, ABC, and the BBC issued a joint statement on behalf of Roxana Saberi, a U.S.-Iranian freelance journalist who is currently being held in Tehran’s Evin prison. The outlets asked that “one or more international organizations that have responsibilities and rights under the Geneva Conventions be permitted access to Roxana…

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