Iran: Following Up the Roxana Saberi Case

Related Post: Monday’s Israel-US Showdown - Iran First or Palestine First?

Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi, freed on appeal after an 8-year sentence for espionage, is now far from Iran. Her drama will now disappear from public view.

The significance of the outcome, however, will be lasting.

There were some interesting revelations in the last stages of the case. In particular, Saberi's lawyer revealed that his client had translated a confidential Iranian document on the US position in Iraq. This, plus Saberi's visit to Israel, had aroused Iranian suspicions that the journalist was not operating without a licence but providing information to a foreign agency. Here was Saberi's representative, not Tehran, was offering evidence for the escalation of the charges from buying wine to carrying out espionage.

This did not rule out the political dimension of the case, in particular, the rush to try and sentence Saberi. However, it could explain why the US Government was careful not to press Tehran too hard. Indeed, it appeared that the attorney's statement was part of a deal with Tehran in which Saberi would be released but Iran's actions would be (at least partially) vindicated.

For the Iranian political system, after Saberi was sentenced, acted very pragmatically. President Ahmadinejad was quick to "request" the hearing of an appeal, which meant the court would hear an appeal. And, since defendants who are allowed to appeal are almost always successful in Iran, the message was clear: Saberi's sentence would be reduced, most likely to the point where she would be able to leave the country.

None of this should be read as benevolence. The calculation was clear: the Obama Administration has advanced towards engagement with Tehran, and Iran --- tentatively at first, but now steadily behind the scenes --- has responded. The Saberi case should not derail that process. That assessment was reinforced, I suspect, as it became clear that Saberi was naive rather than sinister in her activities.

Thus a court case becomes politically significant, especially becomes of its timing. Saberi was released a week before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits Washington to insist that the US break off the engagement with Iran. The freeing of Roxana removes a card (albeit probably a 7 rather than an ace) from Netanyahu's hand.Of course, the rhetoric will continue about the maniacal leadership in Tehran, but the substance here is realpolitik rather than evil or ideology.

Sometimes, the celebration is not only of a humanitarian outcome but of the less-than-humanitarian manoeuvres that lie behind it --- and of the political and quite positive consequences that may follow.

Iran: Roxana Saberi Freed from Tehran Prison

Enduring America, 17 April: "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."

Iran's Press TV has confirmed that, a day after her appeal of an 8-year sentence for espionage, Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi has been freed from jail in Tehran. Saberi's father Reza collected her in front of Evin prison.

Saberi's defence lawyer Saleh Nikbakht earlier said, "Her punishment has been changed to a suspended two-year sentence and she will be out of prison in one-and-half hours." Iranian judiciary spokesman Alireza Jamshidi confirmed to the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency, "In consideration of this ruling, naturally she will be freed."

The narrow legal rationale, according to Al Jazeera's Alireza Ronaghi, is that Saberi was sentenced under "article 501 that says any co-operation with hostile governments and hostile countries deserved one to 10 years in prison....That article of law has been disputed by lawyers who say Iran is not at war with anyone at the moment", raising the question of interpretation of "hostile government".

The overriding reason for Saberi's release, however, is political. As Ronaghi notes, "[Iran doesn't] want to jeopardise all the possibilities and potential of future changes in Iran-US relations with one court order."

UPDATED Iran: Court Hears Roxana Saberi Appeal

UPDATE (10 May): Roxana Saberi's appeal process began Sunday. Spokesman Alireza Jamshidi assured that the appointment of three judges, rather than one, meant "more attention will be paid and the process would be meticulous". He also confirmed that a decision is likely on Monday or Tuesday.

Iran's Press TV has confirmed the news, given to CNN by her father, that the journalist's appeal against an 8-year sentence for espioange will be heard Sunday. Saberi's lawyer, Abdolsamad Khoramshami, said:

Tomorrow at 9:00 am (0430 GMT), branch 14 of the appeal court will have a hearing. "We expect that our defense, which has been submitted to the court in 15 pages, will be heard carefully. I do hope and I am optimistic she will be acquitted.

The decision of the appeals court is expected on Monday or Tuesday. Saberi, who holds American and Iranian nationality, was initially detained in January for buying a bottle of wine. The charges then escalated to working without a journalist's license, and then spying.

Iran: Roxana Saberi Appeal to Be Heard Next Week?

The case of Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi, jailed in Iran for eight years on charges of espionage, may be moving to a legal and diplomatic conclusion. Iranian judiciary spokesman Alireza Jamshidi said today, "The case has gone to ... the appeal court and it is being studied there. There has been a date set for next week (for the court session)."

The announcement comes days after widespread international attention to and criticism of Iran's execution of Delara Darabi on Saturday. Darabi was 17 when she killed her father's cousin more than five years ago.