*** Media Advisory ***
Iran Frees Jailed Journalist
The release of Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi, following her appeal of an eight-year sentence for espionage, shows that Iran can uphold international standards of due process when it wishes, Human Rights Watch said today.“We are glad that the Iranian authorities decided to address this travesty of justice and release Roxana Saberi,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. “But Saberi’s experience reflects the treatment of many Iranians who find themselves in custody for no good reason. We hope that they, too, will be given justice by the Iranian courts.”An appeals court in Iran reduced Saberi’s sentence to a two-year suspended sentence and a five-year ban on reporting in Iran. Her parents said that she will return with them to North Dakota as soon as possible.For more Human Rights Watch reporting on Iran, please visit:http://www.hrw.org/middle-eastn-africa/iranFor more information, please contact:In Washington, DC, Joe Stork: +1-202-612-4327; or +1-202-299-4925 (mobile)