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Saberi's Release Is Not My Call: Ahmadinejad

Obama should respect Iran's laws, he says

By Ambreen Ali, Newser User

Posted Apr 22, 2009 2:17 PM CDT

(Newser) – Mahmoud Ahmadinejad skirted talk of releasing jailed Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi during an interview with ABC News, saying that decision lies with Iran's “independent” judiciary. Responding to President Obama’s concerns for her safety, the Iranian president said, “I think Mr. Obama, as a sign of change and also to encourage friendship, should allow laws to be processed fairly.”

Ahmadinejad also said requests to visit the 31-year-old Saberi—who faces 8 years in jail for spying—will be up to judges: “Let’s see. We’ll see if our judicial regulations allow for that, sure, but if they do not allow for that, no. I’m afraid not.”

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Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, right, talks with Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Saberi, a 31-year-old dual American-Iranian citizen, was arrested in late January and initially accused of working without press credentials. (AP Photo/The Miss North Dakota Pageant)

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Allow the judiciary to carry out its duties.... I am sure she is not being mistreated. - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

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Saberi's Release Is Not My Call: Ahmadinejad