WORLD BRIEFING / IRAN
Iran may reconsider an eight-year jail term for an American journalist during her appeal, the judiciary spokesman said, an indication that her sentence will be commuted.
The statement was the latest hint that Iran could be backing off from the imprisonment of 31-year-old Roxana Saberi on charges of spying for the United States.
The judiciary chief ordered a full investigation of the case Monday, a day after President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad urged Tehran’s chief prosecutor to make sure that Saberi is allowed a full defense during her appeal.
Saberi, who was born in the United States and grew up in Fargo, N.D., worked as a freelance journalist. She held Iranian citizenship because her father was born in Iran.
She was convicted of espionage and sentenced last week after a one-day trial behind closed doors.
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