Iran sentences U.S. reporter to 8 years

An American-Iranian journalist detained in Iran has been sentenced to eight years in prison on charges of spying for the United States.

A lawyer for journalist Roxana Saberi told news agencies about the court's decision Saturday, and said he will appeal the verdict.

The 31-year-old holds dual citizenship in the U.S. and Iran. She had been working in Iran for several news outlets, including National Public Radio, the BBC, and the Fox News television network. She was arrested in late January for working in the country without valid press credentials.

But earlier this month, Iranian authorities announced espionage charges against her, saying Saberi used journalism as a cover to pass classified information to U.S. intelligence services.

The United States has rejected the espionage charges as "baseless." The BBC has more.

Tags: Roxana Saberi, Iran, Journalism, Media by Sistrunk