Open Letter from Roxana Saberi's Parents

An open letter
Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Hazrat Ayatollah Ozma Sayyed Ali Khamenei

As of today our daughter, Roxana Saberi, has been in prison in Tehran for the past forty-seven days. She is under great psychological pressure and her condition seems to be dangerous now. We are very worried about her health and fear that something tragic may happen to her.
Roxana is a world-renowned journalist. She was born and raised in the United States. However, because of her interest in her fatherland she has been living in Iran for the past six years. During this time, in addition to some reporting, she has been studying the history,literature and culture of Iran. She has always been balanced in her reports and has shown great respect to the principles of Islam and Iran.

Recently, Mr. Hassan Haddad, deputy prosecutor of Tehran for security matters, said in an interview with Isna that investigations on Roxana Saberi have been completed and that she will be set free in a few days. Today, fourteen days after that announcement, our daughter, depressed, despaired and grieving, is still waiting for her freedom in a corner of the Evin Prison.
Therefore, we the parents of Roxana, are asking you respectfully that you order our daughter to be freed, on bail or otherwise, so that if she is summoned to the court at a later date she shall be present there.

Respectfully,
Reza and Akiko Saberi
March18, 2009
Esfand 28, 1387

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My uncle says the recession must be over. His rationale? He was recently buying gear for a cat, and it wasn't even for his own cat. I'd say that's as good of an indication of an economic upswing as anything else I've heard.

Roxana Saberi Detained in Iran

You may have heard that a young journalist from North Dakota, Roxana Saberi, has been detained in Iran for the past few weeks, though it was only recently brought to the press. Roxana and I went to undergraduate school together, and I, along with her parents and many others, are concerned for her well-being. There is significant coverage about the situation; just Google her name and you'll find it.

If you'd like to help, please take a moment to ask the Iranian Permanent Mission to the United Nations to work for her release. They can be reached by phone at 212-687-2020 or by e-mail at iran@un.int. It would also be helpful if you could contact your state's Senators. You can find their online contact forms at http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm.

Canadian citizens can find the e-mail and mailing addresses and phone numbers for their member of parliament at
http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/Compilations/HouseOfCommons/MemberByPostalCode.aspx?Menu=HOC

You can also thank the Swiss Representation in Iran for working to secure her release, as the US Interests Section of the Embassy of Switzerland acts as protecting power for the interest of the USA in Iran. Their e-mail address is tie.vertretung@eda.admin.ch

Please also sign the petition that the Committee to Protect Journalists has posted at http://apps.facebook.com/causes/petitions/99?m=2011278e&recruiter_id=16717410

Thanks for your time.