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Lawyer Expects 'Fundamental Changes' in Saberi Sentence

Appeals court to issue verdict in next few days

By Drew Nelles,  Newser Staff

Posted May 10, 2009 1:59 PM CDT

(Newser) – The lawyer for jailed American-Iranian journalist Roxana Saberi is confident his client’s 8-year sentence will be “substantially” reduced, Reuters reports. An Iranian appeals court is expected to issue its verdict soon after today’s closed-door hearing. Saberi was convicted of spying for the United States, an accusation Reporters Without Borders says is intended to intimidate journalists before this summer’s elections. "I'm hopeful and optimistic that there will be fundamental changes in the sentence," Saberi’s lawyer says.

A member of Reporters Without Borders holds a placard with the picture of American journalist Roxana Saberi jailed in Iran, outside the Iran Air office in Paris Tuesday, April 28, 2009.
A member of Reporters Without Borders holds a placard with the picture of American journalist Roxana Saberi jailed in Iran, outside the Iran Air office in Paris Tuesday, April 28, 2009.   (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
This file photo shows Roxana Saberi in Tehran, Iran.
This file photo shows Roxana Saberi in Tehran, Iran.   (AP Photo/Saberi Family)
Reza Saberi, father of the Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi, who has been convicted of spying, talks with the media outside the court of appeal, in Tehran, Sunday, May 10, 2009.
Reza Saberi, father of the Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi, who has been convicted of spying, talks with the media outside the court of appeal, in Tehran, Sunday, May 10, 2009.   (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)
Abdolsamad Khorramshahi, lawyer of American-Iranian journalist Roxana Saberi, 31, who has been convicted of spying and sentenced to eight years in prison, is seen in his office in Tehran.
Abdolsamad Khorramshahi, lawyer of American-Iranian journalist Roxana Saberi, 31, who has been convicted of spying and sentenced to eight years in prison, is seen in his office in Tehran.   (AP Photo/Hasan Sarbakhshian)
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The court session was held under good conditions and me and my colleague ... were given adequate time to defend our client. - Lawyer Abdolsamad Khorramshahi

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