An American journalist Roxana Saberi, 31, has been convicted of spying and sentenced to eight years in prison after a closed door trial.
Saberi was arrested late January and accused of working without press credentials. It was later kicked up to spying and the trial closed to witnesses. She received a one-day trial in yet another example of arbitrary Iranian justice. Of course, after the Bush Administration, we have little credibility in contesting closed trials or special tribunals in other countries.
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She appeared before an Iranian court behind closed doors on Monday in an unusually swift one-day trial. The Fargo, North Dakota native had been living in Iran for six years and had worked as a freelance reporter for several news organizations including National Public Radio and the British Broadcasting Corp.
“Saberi has been sentenced to eight years in jail. I’ll definitely appeal the verdict,” lawyer Abdolsamad Khorramshahi told The Associated Press. It was not immediately known when she was convicted.
Jill
I do think our current approach to international relations, including toward Iran, is more intelligent because, at the very least, it’s more intelligent to be willing to engage than to to be arrogant and not talk at all. It’s also less bellicose as the issue of bombing Iran appears to be off the table.
As for Afghanistan and Pakistan, the battles continue, but so is an increase in humanitarian efferts, nation building (hospitals, roads, schools (especially for girls), etc.
Buddha,
The problem is both govts. because Isreal can’t really accomplish the mission on their own, even with the weapons we gave them. There are too many sites as Iran has spread out its plants, and they are underground. Most security analysts believe it would ultimately take a joint effort to accomplish this aim. We might be the “not so secret” partner, but we would still have to be the partner. I agree with your insights, with just this difference.
Other than referencing Iran isn’t this somewhat off topic? Secondly, it is speculation, not fact. BN is a thug as I’ve said myself on many occasions here. I’m not so sure though that he would do this for real, or is just making a threat display. Anonymously sourced stories aren’t fact.
Jill,
That’s the question, isn’t it? However, it’s kind of a moot point. The current Israeli govt., as discussed on several other occasions, is headed by one of the most hawkish thugs to ever walk the Earth. Would he actually wait for our approval? I kinda doubt it now that we’ve supplied them with the means. You can’t give someone a weapon and reasonably expect them to not only use it, but possibly misuse it. All it would take is Benjamin feeling testy enough. Part of the problem is neighboring states don’t just dislike Israel, they distrust the innate destructive capacity that we have given them. I cannot say I disagree completely with those concerns given the current Israeli administration. Whereas most people would feel moral restraint in using not only conventional but (worst case) nuclear weapons, I think BN has little if any moral restraint whatsoever when it comes to violence.
Does anyone here belive that Israel would do this without the prior blessing of the US? I can’t agree with you rcampbell that our policy towards Iran is intelligent, anymore that I believe our policy in Afganistan and Pakistan where we have now killed over 500 civilians by predator drone under Obama, is in any way either intelligent or moral:
“Israel Stands Ready to Bomb Iran’s Nuclear Sites
by Sheera Frenkel
JERUSALEM – The Israeli military is preparing itself to launch a massive aerial assault on Iran’s nuclear facilities within days of being given the go-ahead by its new government.
[A satellite image of Iran’s Bushehr nuclear facility. He added that it was unlikely that Israel would carry out the attack without receiving at least tacit approval from America, which has struck a more reconciliatory tone in dealing with Iran under its new administration. (File image/Times of London)]A satellite image of Iran’s Bushehr nuclear facility. He added that it was unlikely that Israel would carry out the attack without receiving at least tacit approval from America, which has struck a more reconciliatory tone in dealing with Iran under its new administration. (File image/Times of London)
Among the steps taken to ready Israeli forces for what would be a risky raid requiring pinpoint aerial strikes are the acquisition of three Airborne Warning and Control (AWAC) aircraft and regional missions to simulate the attack.
Two nationwide civil defence drills will help to prepare the public for the retaliation that Israel could face.
“Israel wants to know that if its forces were given the green light they could strike at Iran in a matter of days, even hours. They are making preparations on every level for this eventuality. The message to Iran is that the threat is not just words,” one senior defence official told The Times.”
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/04/18-5
rc,
I was thinking almost exactly that myself. “Here’s your ‘spy’ back. Don’t we look civilized?”
This story illustrates why it is so critical that Professor Turley and all of us continue to keep the pressure on Obama and his administration to do the right thing in prosecuting Bush et al.
Leann,
“After making overtures of friendship to Iran and speaking publicly of direct talks and normalizing relations, Tehran has responding by convicting American journalist Roxana Saberi of espionage and sentencing her to eight years in prison.”
Were you alive during the late 70’s. Do you remember how Ted Koppel got his start? Here is a hint, Jimmie Carter, google that name.
I bet you think Gary Powers got lost on his airplane ride? I suppose you probably were not aware, we trade one Russian Spy for One Powers.
OMG, do not tell me another educational opportunity has been missed.
The Iranians will likely pardon and expel Ms Saberi using her case to advance their own goals. They may well present her release as an overture toward Mr Obama for his less bellicose, more intelligent approach to Iran and the rest of the world. I would be surprised if this is this story’s last chapter.
Leann apparently has no understanding of how long it’s going to take to repair the enormous damage done by Bush/Cheney to America’s international reputation or the depths of hatred for the US they spawned throughout the world.
leann,
It is so sad that you are so bloated with the Bush/Cheney Kool-Aid that you are unable to understand the thrust of this story. If Bush/Cheney hadn’t spent their time not even talking to Iran, but maintaining some diplomatic channels then perhaps a deal could be worked out, as we used to do with the USSR and China during the Cold War. You supported people too macho, or too stupid to have understood this, but then that makes sense that they were this way, because look at their supporters.
The main thing the Bushies accomplished in the ME was to turn a secular nation, into a tool of Iran, thus increasing Iran’s power in the region. You don’t have to listen to me though, I’m only making sense and telling the real story. You are much more comfortable listening to Rush, Bill, Sean and Glenn give you your dose of propaganda and marching orders. Life is so much more easy for you, isn’t it, since you don’t have to think anymore and can get you opinions from other idiots with loud voices. By the way how’s the weather in Stepford today?
anonymously yours this one is for you:
After making overtures of friendship to Iran and speaking publicly of direct talks and normalizing relations, Tehran has responding by convicting American journalist Roxana Saberi of espionage and sentencing her to eight years in prison.
The US state department described the charge of spying as baseless and called for her release, and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has demanded her release.
Well, that certainly worked.
Barack Obama’s sunny “we’re all just folks” approach to Iran has obviously not impressed the mullahs that run the radical Islamist nation.
David,
The evidence is lack luster is it not. What did Lincoln say “To Thine Own Self Be True.”
Leann,
Did someone piss in your Oatmeal this morning, Did you forget to take your happy pills, did you confuse your various medications the nightime from the Daytime?
If you live in the Continental US then it is by all accounts Daytime.
Please keep your inflamatory insults to your family, or have you alienated them as well?
It’s outrageous. Capturing a citizen of a foreign country and subjecting them to a show trial with lax evidentiary standards and the presumption of guilt. Thank God we don’t live in such a country. Oh, wait…
I don’t mean to make a joke out of such a serious matter. It’s just that, as a nation, we’ve lost the moral authority to condemn such a show trial. Yet another example of collateral damage of GWB’s War on Terror.
Imagine when it’s revealed that the “evidence” was procured after she was waterboarded: Do you think Iran’s counterpart to Michael Hayden will write an op-ed claiming that “the techniques themselves were used selectively against only a small number of hard-core prisoners who successfully resisted other forms of interrogation, and then only with the explicit authorization of the director of [Iran’s equivalent to] the CIA?”
Maybe, when Obama condemns this conviction and sentence today, he’ll regret that his authority has been compromised, remembering the footnote to the memo Steven Bradbury (then head of the OLC) wrote in May of 2005:
“We recognize that as a matter of diplomacy the US may for various reasons in various circumstances call another nation to account for practices that may in some respects resemble conduct in which the United States might in some circumstances engage, covertly or otherwise. Diplomatic relations with regard to foreign countries are not reliable evidence of United States executive practice and thus may be of only limited relevance here.” (link at sig)
Please contact your Congressmen and Senators and demand they do everything they can to protect an American citizen. It is not unheard of for political prisoners to mysteriously “commit suicide” in Iranian prison. Private citizens should not be used as bargaining chips for international politicking.
After making overtures of friendship to Iran and speaking publicly of direct talks and normalizing relations, Tehran has responding by convicting American journalist Roxana Saberi of espionage and sentencing her to eight years in prison.
The US state department described the charge of spying as baseless and called for her release, and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has demanded her release.
Well, that certainly worked.
Barack Obama’s sunny “we’re all just folks” approach to Iran has obviously not impressed the mullahs that run the radical Islamist nation.
Off topic but this was a great article in Vanity Fair:
JAMES WOLCOTT
What’s Wrong with Washington?
“Of course, after the Bush Administration, we have little credibility in contesting closed trials or special tribunals in other countries.”
OH GOD I JUST LOVE IT! you haters just can’t let it go can you?
Hey turley, here is what lou dobbs thinks of your MSNBC BUDDS:
http://www.olbermannwatch.com/archives/2009/04/lou_dobbs_rips.php
Turley must have defended her.