Detained journalist appeals spying conviction in Iran

Roxana Saberi, the Iranian-American journalist sentenced to eight years in prison in Iran, has been granted an appeal.

In a one-day trial in Tehran last week, Saberi was convicted of spying for the United States.  Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in response sent a letter urging the judiciary to "do what is needed to secure justice and fairness in examining these charges,” said The New York Times. Ahmadinejad said Saberi should be allowed to defend herself.

According to the BBC, Saberi’s father reported she was tricked into a confession, believing she would be released if she did so. Saberi has been imprisoned since January, when she was arrested while buying alcohol.