Journalist Roxana Saberi has been sentenced to eight years in prison by a court in Iran.
Saberi, 31, was arrested in late January, reportedly for buying a bottle of wine, which is forbidden by Islamic law. Earlier this month, she was charged with spying for the United States. She was convicted after a 5-day trial.
Her father, Reza Saberi, said in an NPR interview that his daughter was coerced into making incriminating statements.
Saberi has lived in Iran for six years and is a citizen of Iran and the United States. The Fargo, N.D., native “was finishing a book on Iran and had planned to return to the United States this year,” her father said.
An Iranian analyst quoted by Reuters said Saberi’s sentence is “likely to be commuted or reduced in a higher court.”
Meanwhile, Saberi’s lawyer said he will appeal.
