Call for release of the US-Iranian journalist Roxana Saberi

The detention of Roxana Saberi, a journalist with American and Iranian dual citizenship being held in Tehran’s Evin prison, has left Reporters Without Borders very worried.

The reasons for Saberi’s detention are unclear, and Reporters Without Borders has urged the Iranian authorities to explain the basis of Saberi’s arrest.

“Saberi’s arrest is a violation of both Iranian law and international legal standards,” Reporters Without Borders said. “Her lawyers must be told the reasons for her detention and must be allowed to visit her. We urge the Iranian authorities to say what charges have been brought against her and to release her pending an investigation, as laid down in the law.”

After Saberi’s father made a call to National Public Radio (NPR) in the United States on February 10, news of her arrest was not released by NPR until March 1.

Iranian authorities have neglected to say what Saberi has been charged with, though foreign ministry spokesman Hassan Ghashghavi said she had been working “illegally” in Iran.

Saberi’s location in the prison is also unknown.

Born and brought up in the United States, Saberi has lived for the past six years in Iran, where she worked as a stringer for NPR from 2002 to 2006. She also worked for the BBC and Fox News.

By Eka Obaigbena
Group: Iran