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Iran accuses journalist of spying Iran accuses journalist of spying
(about 4 hours later)
An Iranian-American journalist who has been detained in Iran since January has been accused of spying, according to her lawyer. An Iranian-American journalist detained in Iran since January has been accused of spying by Iranian prosecutors.
Roxana Saberi, held in Evin prison in Tehran since late January, will appear in court next week, the lawyer said. Roxana Saberi, who is being held in Evin prison in Tehran, will appear in court next week, her lawyer said.
Originally she had been accused of the less serious offence of buying a bottle of wine. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said she was "deeply concerned" about the news.
The authorities then alleged she had been working as a journalist without a valid press card. Ms Saberi originally faced the less serious accusations of buying alcohol, then working as a journalist without a valid press card.
Now the deputy public prosecutor has accused her of the very serious crime of spying. Her parents arrived in Tehran at the weekend and were allowed to see her for 20 minutes. According to the lawyer, they found her in good health and good spirits.
Her lawyer said he had not been allowed to see the papers yet so could not comment on the accusation. The journalist, 31, worked briefly for the BBC three years ago. She has also worked for the American public radio network NPR and the TV network Fox News.
Ms Saberi's parents arrived in Tehran at the weekend and were allowed to see her for 20 minutes. According to the lawyer they found her in good health and good spirits.
A number of UK and US media outlets, including the BBC, have called on Iran to allow independent access to her.A number of UK and US media outlets, including the BBC, have called on Iran to allow independent access to her.
Mrs Clinton has appealed for her release on more than one occasion.
Her lawyer, Abdolsamad Khorramshahi, said he could not comment on the accusation of spying as he had not been allowed to see the legal papers.