Updated May 22, 1:15 p.m.
Formerly imprisoned American journalist Roxana Saberi, Medill ’99, who was jailed in Iran earlier this year and charged with espionage, is heading home to the United States on Friday, according to the Associated Press.
Saberi, who was freed from Iranian prison on May 11 after an appeals court hearing reduced her sentence, has been in Vienna, Austria recuperating since her release. Saberi underwent a hunger strike during her time in Iranian prison.
At the time of her arrest, Saberi was working in Iran as a freelance journalist, filing stories for the British Broadcasting Corporation, among other media outlets, when she was arrested by Iranian authorities for buying wine, which is illegal in the country. She was later accused of reporting in Iran without press credentials and then espionage. Saberi was originally sentenced by the Iranian Revolutionary Court to eight years in prison.
An international outpouring of support in addition to a FreeRoxana campaign, led in part by the journalists’ former instructor, Medill Prof. Jack Doppelt, followed her arrest and imprisonment.
Related:Saberi released on appeal 5/12/09Medill celebrates Saberi’s freedom 5/12/09Saberi supporters pin hopes on appeal 5/06/09Iranian appeals court to review Saberi case 5/05/09NU fasts in show of solidarity for Saberi 5/04/09ASG approves emergency legislation to encourage release of Roxana Saberi 4/29/09Students rally to support Medill alum Roxana Saberi 4/24/09Saberi sentenced to 8 years in prison 4/20/09Saberi awaits verdict of Iranian court 4/15/09Bienen works to release NU alumna detained in Iran 4/13/09 Medill alum Roxana Saberi reportedly charged with espionage in Iran 4/9/09Medill graduate being held in Iran prison 3/5/09
