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Politics | 03/02/2009 9:40 am

Iran Detains American Female Journalist Roxana Saberi (Video)

By The Staff at wowOwow.com
Roxana Saberi, pictured on the right © Getty Images

Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi’s father is absolutely worried sick. He hasn’t heard from her since February 10, and thinks she’s languishing in prison.

Saberi, a U.S. citizen who’s been living in Iran for six years and working as a freelance journalist for National Public Radio, BBC, FOX News, and other media outlets, while also finishing her master’s degree, hasn’t been heard from since February 10. And her Iran-born father, Reza Saberi, says his daughter bought a bottle of wine on the black market back in January and that the seller may have called authorities. Alcohol’s strictly verboten in the Islamic nation.

"She said that she had bought a bottle of wine and the person that sold it had reported it and then they came and arrested her," he told NPR on Sunday. He thinks the wine purchase was just an excuse to arrest her.

Roxana told her father she would be released soon, but he hasn’t heard from her since. He now fears for her safety. The U.S. State Department is investigating. But a spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry said her press credentials had been revoked in 2006.

"This reporter should not have been illegally seeking news and information from Iran," spokesman Hasan Qashqavi said. "Her accreditation was over in 2006, after Iranian authorities revoked her press card. Her activities since 2006 were completely illegal and unauthorized."

Another recent high-profile arrest was that of Iranian-American student Esha Momeni, who was detained in an Iranian jail late last year while working on her thesis on the country’s women’s rights movements. Iran said her files posed a threat to Iran’s national security. Four women with dual citizenship were arrested on similar charges last year. Stay safe, Roxana. Come home soon.

 

Watch the video below.

11 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Mel Berg
Well, I can’t say that I feel to sorry for her, she seemed to know what she was doing was not legal there. Her press card was revoked in 2006, why is she still there?
By Mel Berg on 03/02/2009 10:07 am
Beth Cornell
That is a good question. If I were Iran I would have just thrown her out. Made it so she can’t go back.
By Beth Cornell on 03/02/2009 10:11 am
Grande Camper
It doesn’t matter if she knew what she was doing was not legal.  I hope she is safe.  The fact that the father has not her from her is worrying for any parent.  I do hope she is alright.  She is a person.
By Grande Camper on 03/02/2009 10:38 am
Catherine Kaiman

The last Canadian journalist held captive in Iran, ended up murdered, beaten to death by Iranian guards.

I hope this girl doesn’t meet the same fate.

By Catherine Kaiman on 03/02/2009 11:50 am
Grande Camper
Oh how sad.  You are right I hope this doesn’t happen to her.
By Grande Camper on 03/02/2009 12:07 pm
Catherine Kaiman
Who said anything about this being America’s fault?
By Catherine Kaiman on 03/03/2009 1:15 am
Ms. Dee
Is the State Department doing anything?  Seems like they should know, or have some sort of involvment in her release.  What’s the usual protocol in a case like this?
By Ms. Dee on 03/02/2009 4:55 pm
Shannon Simmons
If her press credentials had been revoked I agree she should not be there.  Iran is a very conservative albeit corrupt country, but she knew that going in.  She should not have bought the wine.  Whether it was an excuse to arrest her I do not know…I pray for her to get out, but hope she will use more sense in the future.
By Shannon Simmons on 03/02/2009 10:24 pm