Journalist’s lawyer hopes for cut in 8-year sentence

A LAWYER for a jailed American journalist in Iran said yesterday he was optimistic that an appeals court will reduce her eight-year prison sentence for allegedly spying for the United States.

Roxana Saberi’s lawyer talked to reporters after his 32-year-old client’s five-hour closed-door appeals hearing. He said he was allowed to defend Saberi and expects the court will make its ruling in the coming days.

“I am hopeful and optimistic that there will be a remarkable change to her verdict,” Abdolsamad Khorramshahi said outside the courthouse.