Posted on 04/08/2009 6:51:07 PM PDT by Libloather
Iran charges US journalist with spying
April 9, 2009, 9:42 am
An American journalist jailed for more than two months in Iran has been charged with spying for the US, a judge said on Wednesday, dashing hopes of a quick release days after her parents arrived in the country seeking her freedom.
The espionage charge is far more serious than earlier statements by Iranian officials that the woman had been arrested for working in the Islamic Republic without press credentials and her own assertion in a phone call to her father that she was arrested after buying a bottle of wine.
**SNIP**
"We are deeply concerned by the news that we're hearing," US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton told reporters at the State Department, adding that the administration has asked Swiss diplomats in Iran for the "most accurate, up-to-date information" on Saberi. Though the US has no diplomatic relations with Iran , it has an interests section at the Swiss Embassy.
Officials in the woman's home state who have been pressing for action also expressed concern about the direction her case is taking.
"This is disturbing news and is certainly hard to believe," said Senator Kent Conrad of North Dakota, noting that at first the government had accused her of working without accreditation. "Now the story is Roxana is a spy? I find this all very hard to believe."
The 31-year-old freelance reporter was arrested in late January. Her lawyer, Abdolsamad Khorramshahi, said Saberi has been informed of the espionage charge against her and that he plans to request that she be released on bail until the trial.
(Excerpt) Read more at au.news.yahoo.com ...
Maybe we could all put on cardigan sweaters and turn down the thermostats. That should get her out.
The saddest thing is the fact that given the choices within the Zero administration, I prefer that Hillary be the one to deal with this stuff.
How scary is that?
Will Obie and Hitlery's combined incompetence, cause Obie to ultimately fire Hitlery, due to obvious failures?
By the way - Not Guilty.
We have Jimmy Carter....in COLOR!
Heck, send Bill Clinton.
He'll have her on a plane within hours.
Let’s Boycott the Olympics!! That will show em!!
I’ve had a hard time feeling sorry for this girl.
She was born in this country. She had to apply for Iranian citizenship. She and her Iranian born father had to know that Iran doesn’t recognize dual citizenship. If you have have an Iranian passport, you’re an Iranian and therefore subject to the whims of the regime.
How many academics, journalists, etc living in the U.S. and holding Iranian passports have to be locked up in Iran before these people finally get it?
I think 0bama will top Dhimmey Carter’s count for hostages (a truly sad realty)
If Her Thighness is “deeply concerned,” she needs someone for comfort and advice, someone who can be “deeply saddened” about the situation .... yeah, here he comes to save the day, it’s Tiny Tommy Daschly.
Obama will do nothing about this woman or any hostages now or in the future unless it is to pay ransom.
Obama has already shown himself to be a weak preisident and we’re only 70 odd days into his presidency.
If Obama has any cajones he would let our Marines loose in Somalia.
My question is quite simple. Why didn’t Obama call on our SEALS to do a job on these terrorist. Oops, did I say something that’s not P.C.
Screw it. They’re terrorists and there’s only one way to deal with them. Attack them and kill them.
But what can I say I’m a war-hawk conservative.
Interesting bits:
The photo you have posted - # 1 - based on features, eyes in particular, shows her, Clearly, to be part South East Asian (Thai or Philipino, as examples) or, part, of Mongolian descent (Mongols invaded Iran centuries ago, post Arab-Muslim invasion of Iran. Mongol invasion of Iran took place circa 1219 CE).
I am not disputing her part [Iranian] origins; but, simply going by her looks in your photo, and what I’ve seen elsewhere.
There are many Iranians (by citizenship or birth) today, especially, in the Azarbaijan Province of Iran, or those of Turkmen ethnic origins in Iran (as examples), who look more South East Asian, than our traditional perception of what an “Iranian” should look.
Iran, of course, is a country which consists of many different ethnic, religious and racial groups & origins. Over the centuries there has been interracial marriages and offsprings as result.
Secondly, Iranian Officials like to assert their legitimacy (in the eyes of the world) by every so often arresting those of Iranian origins, if they can determine those arrested, or potential to be arrested, can be identified as Iranians e.g. born in Iran, or an Iranian Father by birth OR citizenship, regardless of “ethnicity”.
See comments #s 27 through to #31 - in June 2007.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1850188/posts
Her father is Iranian, her mother is Japanese.
They went to Iran and were permitted a short visit with her. The father has said that he would stay there for an extended period if necessary while her mother came home to the U.S.. He is putting himself in jeopardy of being arrested too or at the least being detained and not permitted to leave the country.
The best thing they can do is get their congressman and senator involved and keep her story in the news.
I believe her Mother is Japanese.
“When you’re up to your ass in alligators, it’s hard to remember the mission is to drain the swamp”
The next Olympics will be in Vancouver next year for the winter games. A big Iranian or Somalian contingent is not expected however. :)
If her “mother” is “Japanese” (or some other South East Asian) is of no importance, in this case - see the issues I was raising in previous FR link June 2007.
I, personally, know Iranians born in Iran with “Iranian” parent(s), who have been mistaken, based on their looks, for being part or full South East Asian (Japenese are considered South East Asians too). The mentioned gene pool regarding Iran is too true to date.
However, the issue, for the IRI is her father, who was/is Iranian born or an Iranian Citizen; since she, herself, was not born in Iran, but obviously must carry an Iranian Passport, and, more importantly, an Iranian lastname in it.
Anyway, she would not have never been issued, nor permitted to hold a Mullah-regime’s passport without the Mullahs’ being satisfied to grant her one based on her father’s birth or citizenship at least.
Of course, the political factors, as mentioned, regardless of ethnicity, also remain.
never = ever been issued
I only mentioned her mother being Japanese, because your post made it sound as though you weren’t aware of that.
And yes, she carries an Iranian passport.
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