Iran to allow parents to visit detained journalist daughter

TEHRAN, Iran – Authorities in Tehran told the parents of an imprisoned Iranian-American journalist on Sunday that they can meet their daughter today, the family’s attorney said.

Reza Saberi and his wife, Akiko, arrived in Iran early Sunday to show support for their U.S.-born daughter, Roxana, who also holds an Iranian passport and has been in custody in Tehran since January for allegedly buying alcohol, which is prohibited in the Islamic republic. Iranian officials have also said that she was working as a journalist without the necessary press credentials.

“We went to Evin prison today, and authorities told us that the family is welcome to visit their daughter tomorrow during normal visiting hours. All they have to do is bring their identification,” the lawyer, Abdolsamad Khorramshai, said. He said the couple came to Iran to “lift their daughter’s spirit” and intended to stay until she is released.

Saberi, who has reported for the BBC and the U.S.-based National Public Radio, has been living in Iran for six years, working as a journalist while also pursuing a master’s degree in Iranian studies and international relations. Iranian authorities revoked her journalism work permit in 2007 for unknown reasons. She was reportedly working on a book about Iran and planning to return to the United States.

Prosecutors have issued a formal indictment against Saberi, but her attorney said he has not yet seen the charges.