Freed Saberi 'flying out of Iran'

 

Roxana Saberi was freed on Monday after four months in prison

BBC News:

US-Iranian journalist Roxana Saberi has left Iran following her release from jail earlier this week, a family friend told AFP news agency.

The unnamed friend says Ms Saberi and her parents had taken a flight out of Tehran. Their destination is unclear.

Ms Saberi, 32, was freed on Monday, after spending four months in prison on spying charges, which she denied.

She was originally sentenced to eight years, but the term was cut on appeal to a two-year suspended sentence.

Her case had attracted international attention. The US administration said Iran's decision to free her was a "humanitarian gesture".

She originally faced a less serious accusation of buying alcohol, and later of working as a reporter without a valid press card.

The spying charge was introduced later, and she was tried and sentenced behind closed doors.

Ms Saberi worked as a freelance journalist for news organisations, including the BBC and the US-based National Public Radio.