Friday
Apr172009
Iran: The Dangers of the Roxana Saberi Espionage Trial
Friday, April 17, 2009 at 8:05
Latest Post: Roxana Saberi Update - Positive Signs Despite a Hopeless TV Interview
Related Post: Iran Jails Journalist Saberi for 8 Years on Espionage Charges
It is a rare day when I agree with an opinion in the Wall Street Journal, but that morning has come.
Commenting on the espionage trial of Iranian-American Roxana Saberi, which began in secret on Monday, Gerald Seib commented, "This is a significant event that likely serves multiple, unpleasant purposes for an Iranian government with which the Obama administration is about to begin talking."
Let's be clear. The immediate multiple, unpleasant effects are being felt by Roxana Saberi, as she remains in Evin Prison in Tehran. Any failure of judgement --- she was initially charged with buying a bottle of wine and then for reporting without a license --- does not constitute espionage, especially when that guilt is to be determined without legal representation or any public presentation of evidence.
Possibly some of my friends and colleagues in Tehran would argue that the judiciary, as an independent branch, makes its own determinations on cases to be tried and that politicians should not interfere in that process. But, again to be clear, every indication is that the decision to ratchet up the charges against Saberi from possession of alcohol to spying was political, not legal, in nature. As Seib writes, "A journalist can be an easy target for signal-sending."
I'm not so sure about Seib's speculation for Saberi's prosecution, "It's the kind of move that chills internal dissent." This feels more like one agency or faction trying to score points against others within Iran's complex political system.
The broader point remains, however, that this trial is a powerful check-and-balance against Iranian engagement with the US. Two weeks ago, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton passed a letter to Iranian representatives at The Hague conference raising the cases of Saberi and another detainee, as well as an American who has been missing for years after a trip to Iran. The decision to proceed with the trial, as well as a judiciary spokesman's criticism of American interference, is a blunt response that Iran does not bow to US wishes on its internal matters.
Some Iranian officials and politicians may have recognised the damage this case could cause to US-Iranian discussions. However, it has now proceeded so far that Iran cannot release Saberi and "save face".
My hope is that the Saberi case will follow the pattern of that of Haleh Esfandiari, the Iranian-American academic jailed in 2007 on charges of spying. After four months, and an intensive campaign on her behalf by colleagues such as the former Senator Lee Hamilton, Esfandiari was released.
However, it is important to note that Esfandiari was "better connected" than Saberi and that she never went to trial. And the US Government has been very reluctant to step in publicly for Saberi; it was only yesterday that a State Department spokesman broached concern.
Thus for Saberi's sake and --- not more importantly but more broadly --- for the sake of US-Iran engagement, some politicians and officials in Iran need to move with a face-saving solution such as conviction and immediate deportation.
It is essential that US-Iran discussions, leading to a more productive relationship diplomatic, economic, and cultural relationship, continue. It is just as essential that, in the name of those discussions, Roxana Saberi is not seen as expendable.
Related Post: Iran Jails Journalist Saberi for 8 Years on Espionage Charges
It is a rare day when I agree with an opinion in the Wall Street Journal, but that morning has come.Commenting on the espionage trial of Iranian-American Roxana Saberi, which began in secret on Monday, Gerald Seib commented, "This is a significant event that likely serves multiple, unpleasant purposes for an Iranian government with which the Obama administration is about to begin talking."
Let's be clear. The immediate multiple, unpleasant effects are being felt by Roxana Saberi, as she remains in Evin Prison in Tehran. Any failure of judgement --- she was initially charged with buying a bottle of wine and then for reporting without a license --- does not constitute espionage, especially when that guilt is to be determined without legal representation or any public presentation of evidence.
Possibly some of my friends and colleagues in Tehran would argue that the judiciary, as an independent branch, makes its own determinations on cases to be tried and that politicians should not interfere in that process. But, again to be clear, every indication is that the decision to ratchet up the charges against Saberi from possession of alcohol to spying was political, not legal, in nature. As Seib writes, "A journalist can be an easy target for signal-sending."
I'm not so sure about Seib's speculation for Saberi's prosecution, "It's the kind of move that chills internal dissent." This feels more like one agency or faction trying to score points against others within Iran's complex political system.
The broader point remains, however, that this trial is a powerful check-and-balance against Iranian engagement with the US. Two weeks ago, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton passed a letter to Iranian representatives at The Hague conference raising the cases of Saberi and another detainee, as well as an American who has been missing for years after a trip to Iran. The decision to proceed with the trial, as well as a judiciary spokesman's criticism of American interference, is a blunt response that Iran does not bow to US wishes on its internal matters.
Some Iranian officials and politicians may have recognised the damage this case could cause to US-Iranian discussions. However, it has now proceeded so far that Iran cannot release Saberi and "save face".
My hope is that the Saberi case will follow the pattern of that of Haleh Esfandiari, the Iranian-American academic jailed in 2007 on charges of spying. After four months, and an intensive campaign on her behalf by colleagues such as the former Senator Lee Hamilton, Esfandiari was released.
However, it is important to note that Esfandiari was "better connected" than Saberi and that she never went to trial. And the US Government has been very reluctant to step in publicly for Saberi; it was only yesterday that a State Department spokesman broached concern.
Thus for Saberi's sake and --- not more importantly but more broadly --- for the sake of US-Iran engagement, some politicians and officials in Iran need to move with a face-saving solution such as conviction and immediate deportation.
It is essential that US-Iran discussions, leading to a more productive relationship diplomatic, economic, and cultural relationship, continue. It is just as essential that, in the name of those discussions, Roxana Saberi is not seen as expendable.
Reader Comments (36)
Of course, this is assuming that she is completely innocent. It is interesting that whenever someone is arrested in Iran for spying, the western media states they are innocent. Either the US does not spy on Iran or the oriental Iranians are too incompetent to find any of them and they only arrest innocent people.
It is highly unlikely that Esfandiari was released because of any campaign carried out by a current or former US official and in any case Iranian Americans who are much more innocent than Esfandiari are currently serving prison sentences in the US (Seyed Mahmood Mousavi,...) or are awaiting trial (the current head of the Alavi Foundation in New york). They, of course, do not have the support of the media or any senators because they are evil doers (or evil thinkers) and get what they deserve.
It has happened before in many parts of the world that people have been arrested on lesser charges to prevent them from escaping...I don't know much about the case, but I know that the western portrayal of these issues are usually 'seriously flawed' to say the least.
Mo,
For me, it is not only the principle of "innocent until proven guilty" but also the lack of any public evidence to support the espionage charges. I would say the same about a case in the US --- indeed, EA has written about Seyed Mahmood Mousavi.
If there is a legal case against Saberi, then it should be presented openly. Failing that presentation, my belief is that she has been and is being used as a political pawn.
S.
Mo- I understand your frustration at the portrayal of Iran in the west. Academics in the west, such as Prof Lucas, are vocal in the extreme in pointing out the shortfallings of their govt and any perceived shortfallings in the values of a free society. Is there an equivalent in Iranian academia- can show me an equivalent of Enduring America, based out of a top University in Iran, which posts sustained (even abusive!) critiques of its leaders and actions?
As such, whilst you are frustrated by the portrayal of Iran in the west, it is equally frustrating that someone like yourself refuses to speak out against ANY actions by the Iranian judicial or political authority. It's even more frustrating that, on a forum such as EA- which is dedicated to presenting a positive image of Iran and promoting universal freedom of expression, you characterises those who point out these blatent shortfallings in Iran as ignorant, racist (orientalist) hypocrites.
And once again, to avoid any self analysis, you constuct a straw man based on your belief, that I do not believe is widely shared, that political and judicial repression exist to an equal extent in the US.
What is also frustrating is that you admit you "do not know much about the case"-Yet, we are to assume, you are well versed, and thus able to cast judgment, on the Mousavi and Esfandiari cases.
Frankly, despite Iran having a far better standard of democracy and freedom than most of its neighbours, there are some very clear cases in Iran of political and judicial repression. There are limits to writing off those who point these out as ignorant, misrepesentative, politically motivated, hypocritical and even racist.
I am sympathetic to your point of view, and frustration, but would be much much more if you were willing to contemplate and vocally criticise, as Prof Lucas does, any of the long list of similar cases. For instance, the imprisonment of internet blogger and recent death of Omidreza Mirsayafi
But I suspect you will not- which, though I don't believe it is the case, can only increase the perception in the west that speaking out against such cases is not conducive to a good career in academia in Iran. As such, you are actually contributing to the misrepresentaiton you deplore. Either that or you think that there is nothing wrong with locking up internet bloggers.
The third option is, of course, that the west is totally wrong in believing that such problems exist in Iran. I suspect that is a tough sell though...
Kind regards
Obviously, you know little about Iran and Iranian academia. I even doubt that you have a command of Persian. However, what is sad is to see how easily you make personal accusations against people who you do not even know personally. Why should I fear the Iranian government, when I had no fear of your's even when your government was providing Saddam Hussain with WMDs to slaughter people like me? I don't need to sell you anything and as your are determined to intimidate me and interpret any alternative explanation of events in Iran on my behalf to academic self interest in Iran, I can not longer read or contribute to Enduring America. Good Bye.
I don't see why you should boycott EA because of me and think it a shame if you do.
Why should you fear the government?- it's not like you criticise it. Clearly others who have do (or did in the case of Mirsayafi).
What an extraordinary overreaction.
Goodbye.
8 years for espionage seems like a very light sentence, unlikely to deter anyone in the future against similar acts. Charging her originally with only a minor crime could have led to her escape due to lax security. What was the government thinking?
Hmm.. Perhaps it was all a sham. Just one more up yours from a murderous regime more intent on power control and anti-women than anything else?
Bill,
Have just posted a follow-up analysis....
S.
What can I say. Another sad story. Of course, I’m sure she’s not spending time shackled in a tiny cell, sexually molested, sprayed with insects, waterboarded, etc… From a bit of research on this unfortunate young lady, there is a more than 50% probability that she did some work with the us gov. Pretty dumb after all her studies and knowing how the Iran regime operates she confessed. Of course, after Israel finally nukes Iran and starves the Palestinian people to death, she could be the next western Iranian leader puppet.
If we truly stand up for truth, fairness, liberty, justice, etc… let’s abolish all governments, central banks, interest rates, the military-industrial complex, the police state and free all the spies, all the journalists, and all the other victims of government coercion and manipulation all over the world. Just to point out the us has the highest prison and conviction sanctioned population in the world. Between 3 to 5 times the number in Iran. What is all this senseless war, carnage, and bloodshed about?
In the end, I’m sure Iran well show it’s humble face. Miss. Saberi will be much more comfortable than those in us prisons, better treated, and will eventually, fairly soon, be released. I just hope once this happens, Miss. Saberi is honest about her treatment and instead of playing espionage games focuses not just on Iran, but dedicates her life and the opportunities that she has been given to exposing the real problems plaguing and oppressing civilization. Godspeed here release!
Polakmaly,
Thank you for this comment. Can you provide the research for the "more than 50% probability"? I haven't been able to find any evidence that Ms Saberi was working with the US Government.
S.
Firstly i agree Mo is royally overreacting like a child who did not get his way exactly as the mullahs are doing in Iran seeing that the whole country really hates them and have to rule by terror and tyranny.
Wth regards to PolakM what an absurd notion to pen that political prisoners are treated fairly in IRI it has barely gone one week since another blogger Omidreza died from beating under duress in islamic prisons and nearly six years since Canadian photographer Zahra Kazemi was raped and battered to death many. Hundred more before and after in a systematic genocidal intent being conducted by IRI.
Yes there maybe incidents such as tit for tat exchanges between the US and IRI but the reality is that human right is being trampled on daily. We must speak out for human rights or descend into barbarism that is being witnessed in Iran today.
OK, I agree with Rostam. The problem is much more complicated than this simplified discussion. The media is blowing it out of proportion and yes people are raped and battered. But the problem is worldwide. Worldwide. Not just Iran, not just US, but worldwide. The whole world is a mess. And for the most part everyone aligns themselves with this or that camp. We have all these political goons who spit out poisonous venom dressed up in humanitarian causes. They strangle their servants and at the same time rob their neighbors of all their possessions until their children wake up homeless in the land of their forefathers. They do their cherry marries on their subordinates and than we have people killing each other over something they themselves have no idea about. No one is immune, that's why it's so hard to rationalize with the clowns, puppets, and pawns. Injustice is injustice, no matter what form and or side it takes.
P.S. Miss Saberi's NPR Reports:
http://www.npr.org/search.php?text=+roxana+saberi&sort=DREDATE%3Anumberdecreasing&aggId=0&prgId=0&topicId=0&how_long_ago=0
Polakmaly,
I'm sorry, but I have to repeat the question, because it is quite a serious one in this case, "What is the evidence that Saberi worked for/with the US Government?"
S.
P.S. HELP SAVE THIS IRANIAN GIRL TOO!!!
The young artist Delara Darabi who has spent the last 6 years in Rasht prison in Iran for the alleged murder of a relative, is scheduled to be executed in TODAY days from now.
http://www.savedelara.com/
http://scenews.blog.com/4817342/
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=533103998986446192&q=delara+darabi
Polakmaly,
Thank you for drawing our attention to this --- I did not know about Delara Darabi. Please keep us updated.
S.
Well, I just gave you a list. Moreover, there are only about 20 real 3 minute segments of Roxana using big words to talk about Iran of what every child can learn from reading the New York Times. 20 segments at 3 minutes each, that's 60 minutes of work in 6 years. I'd surely like to work 60 minutes in 6 years and not have to worry what tomorrow brinks. I'm not assuming anything, the evidence is just not there right now to discredit that very notion.
Tehran has dug itselves a perfect case. Unless she can prove that she is a legitimate reporter and document the sources of her income, they have a case. After all, doesn't the cia itself go after suspected enemies by observing their movement and following their money trail. Of course the best way to avoid detection is to avoid leaving a paper trail. But that can be a problem if you can't document your sources of income. In the US you that means you must be involved in some sort of "criminal" activity.
Of course those are not crimes in themselves, except a form of theft imposed by the government. Governments are getting more aggressive and destructive everyday. The calls do need to be made for a rule of law and proper court procedures, yet these laws and procedures can be so derailed that they end up having a greater social cost than benefit. We are living in a world of kangaroo courts, lol.... In today's world the government sees itselves above the law and and does with people what it pleases. I hope this incident serves as an awakening point to all citizens of the world and all the double standards on all parts.
For now President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad emphasized that Miss Saberi must have her legal right to defend herself. They will have their kangaroo show. The Iranian government will play with her a bit, perhaps try to get it's diplomats out of US custody (another double standard). Iran has a case. In politics anything goes. Whatever the outcome, in the end, I'm certain Miss Saberi will walk free. This is very political. Iran will try to improve it's imagine by showing the world what good sport they are and point out the corruption of the us and it's torture policies. After all, didn't that happen with the British sailors. In fact they each got a brand new suit and book offers when they returned back home. You will mark my word....
PolakMaly you are a smart cookie
PolakMaly,
I'm sorry, but none of this is proof of a connection between Saberi and the US Government.
She is a free-lance reporter ("stringer") who worked for a number of outlets over the last six years. The nature of free-lancing is that stories may be intermittent --- it can take weeks to convince a newspaper/broadcasting outlet to run a story. She has a number of stories on prominent US-UK outlets.
In my career, I have gone months without publishing a substantial article or book --- does this mean that, because there is no "record" of work for those months that I must be a Government agent?
Forgive me if these words are harsh (especially as some of your other points are on the mark about the political nature of your case), but your reasoning about Saberi's possible guilt is ideal for "a world of kangaroo courts". It is guilt through a "negative" --- Saberi doesn't have a significant enough journalistic record, so she must be a spy --- rather than any evidence.
If you want to claim that Saberi is a not-very-good journalist, fair enough. But I don't think that merits 8 years in jail.
S.
Agree. Tell that to military, the law enforcement, the layers, the judges, the politicians, and the bankers of the world. I think they will laugh at you. In today's kangaroo courts you are guilty until proven otherwise. You can start helping Miss Saberi by gathering links to her published articles and/or works. Also a subsantial record of her cashflow receiving and spending receipts must be established. All contacts she may have had, if any, with outside parties of interest to Tehran must be ironed out. Sincerely I hope she is a real journalist, not just an asset. We need real journalists to keep a check on the balance. But that we will never know. In the end Tehran wins and she walks out somewhat shaken and stirred, but free, famous, and well to do. The 8 year sentence is a problem, solution, reaction tactic. And I hope I am right. My profiling probability still holds.....
P.S. Thank you for your little how free-lance reporter contracting goes speal. And I hope Miss Saberi learns something from this experience and puts her knowledge and skills into real reporting that actually makes a difference. There are many less educated free-lancers publishing articles everyday without a profit of much higher quality than I've seen thus far from our person of interest. So no, a real reporter doesn't stop working if he or she has no contract(s). In supply side economics, supply creates it's own demand. Of course I am not a supply sider, but that's another intensive topic. By the way, where are you writing from? Perhaps I should do a little investigative reporting on you, lol....
Wishing you the best,
P.
It requires money to live, anywhere. There is no evidence of any substantial work (enough for a living wage) by Saberi since her articles in 2006. Who was sponsoring her while she wrote her book?
When is she publishing? I'd like to have a look at her writing logic and sense of reality. Of course anyone can write and anyone can publish. The question is whether someone can think objectively, critically, and reason?
I just checked amazon.com. Her father has several works published. Mother nothing. She has 2 articles:
Title: Inside Iran: what is life like 25 years after the Islamic Revolution?(World)
Author: Roxana Saberi
Publication: Junior Scholastic (Magazine/Journal)
Date: April 5, 2004
Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.
Volume: 106 Issue: 16 Page: 14(6)
Price: $5.95
No description
Title: Iran: the other side of the world? The people of this Middle Eastern country often feel very distant from America.(World)(Cover story)
Author: Roxana Saberi
Publication: Junior Scholastic (Magazine/Journal)
Date: October 1, 2007
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 110 Issue: 3 Page: 10(5)
Price: 9.95
Again no description
By the way, Junior Scholastic is not a research journal. It is a way the us gov brainwashes our kids into having a bias, closed minded, and egocentric look at the world....
Father:
Translation of poetry, 3 or 4 editions
2 page biography
Insights and Intuitions; Reflections on the Nature of Existence (Paperback) 308 pgs
The Labyrinth (Paperback) pg?
The Vicious Cricle (Paperback) 184 pgs
Splendor of the light (Paperback) 166 pgs
Impressions and expressions (Unknown Binding) 248 pgs
I can say he longs for his homeland and is also a scholar, although I would need to look into his publishers and the contents of his writings to understand his perceptions.
PolakMaly,
"Perhaps I should do a little investigative reporting on you"
I look forward to the results (but I get 10% of any money you make on the articles....)!
S.
I also checked for peer reviews, and working papers and her former Alma Mater. Nothing....
lol....