U.S. Woman Freed From Iran Welcomed Home

Emotional Return To N.D. For Journalist With Dual Citizenship Charged With Spying For U.S.

(AP)  Journalist Roxana Saberi's first time back to her hometown since she walked out of an Iranian prison left her fighting back tears as she thanked friends and supporters.

Saberi and her parents were greeted Saturday at the Fargo airport by a crowd of well-wishers waving "Welcome home Roxana!" banners and lining up for hugs. When it was her turn to speak, Saberi needed comfort from her parents and North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven as she struggled keep her composure.

"It's the first time I've really cried in public," she said.

Saberi, who spent six years in Iran and has dual citizenship, was arrested on Jan. 31 and charged with spying for the United States. The U.S denied the charges. She was sentenced to eight years in prison, but an appeals court reduced that to a two-year suspended sentence and released her on May 11.

Students and teachers from her alma mater, Concordia College in neighboring Moorhead, Minn., brought maroon and gold balloons. The school band played patriotic songs, and Saberi sang along to "The Star-Spangled Banner" before a welcome home ceremony.

Emily Meyer, a Concordia journalism student, called Saberi a role model, someone she feels she knows even though the two of them have never met.

"She's a woman, she put herself out there, she stuck by her ground after she got arrested, she didn't give up," Meyer said.

Hoeven started the ceremony by congratulating Saberi for her "class, dignity and poise" under pressure, and said North Dakotans spoke out in favor of her release.

"We were worried about you. We were worried about you," the governor said.

"Sorry," Saberi replied, smiling.

Concordia College journalism professor Catherine McMullen presented her former student with a "Free Roxana" pin and ribbon that hundreds of students wore during graduation ceremonies.

Concordia President Pam Jolicoeur said "spirits are soaring" with Saberi's return. "We have celebrated many memorable homecomings. We do homecomings," she said. "None of them tops this day."

Saberi, 32, grew up in Fargo where her parents, Reza and Akiko, still live. Her mother cried out in joy as neighbors and friends greeted the family as they walked through the airport concourse. Her father later joked that he didn't know the family had so many friends.

Roxana Saberi, who after her release spent time in Austria and Washington, D.C., before heading for North Dakota, thanked her hometown supporters for believing she was not a spy. She said earlier that she had given a false confession under pressure and later recanted.

Hoeven gave Saberi with a pen set because she plans to write a book on her time in Iran. She has worked for such news organizations as National Public Radio and the British Broadcasting Corp.

[toldyouso29]

"She's a woman, she put herself out there, she stuck by her ground after she got arrested, she didn't give up," Meyer said.


She was an idiot--an arrogant American who had the audacity to think the rights she enjoys in our country are rights that other countries would honor. To traipse over to a country actively hostile and avowed to be hostile to America and Americans and expect no repercussions is crazy--sounds like she may be hoping for notoriety or a book deal. Because if there is anything more stupid than putting yourself in harms way--just because you can--just let us know.

I had no sympathy for this idiot. In fact, I would not have been surprised or sorry if Iran had kept her imprisoned for 8 years and put her parents in prison when they took their butts over there too--she had no business--none, nada, zilch for being over there under the present conditions--unless of course--she really is a spy.

[YrSoWrong]

Yeah, let's thank the Iranians mullahs. They're known for being rational.

[fischer1991]

US has a lot of spies in middle east countries there s no doubt she was a spy there thanks god they released her 2years earlier she is going to write a book u can easily guess what she is going to write in that i dont trust any word of that i think they were very kind to her just 6year prison for spying!

[YrSoWrong]

Praise-be to the ancient beard-ohs who allowed this young woman to keep her head! What could Jefferson have taught them about government? Nothing.

[Dgunner]

This speaks tons and loudly for thier judges and this shines light on the willingness of the Iranian courts to be fair in thier judgements .D ual citizenship or not . They are smart enough to teach a lesson and not step on thier d--k at the same time. Stay out of thier country and quit being nosy and s---t like this won;t happen. I am convinced the next time if there is one ? The outcome may not be so much to our liking.

[YrSoWrong]

She's more of a man than most who blog here, and more of a woman than they can be comfortable-with.

[gil600221]

Some of these Americans need to have a little common sense here. You go to a foreign country, especially one that has had problems with the United States since 1979 and have lived there in this problem country for 6 years and expect everything to be "Just Fine?" Not! People get in trouble many times over, overseas and then expect the United States to come to their rescue! To top it off, she has dual citizenship? What for? Where is her allegiance to the United States at? You can't have your cake and eat it too! Geeze!!!!!!

[babooph]

Good she made it ,chess champ Bobby Fisher died in Iceland-political refugee from oppression in the States-wonder where he chose to be buried?

[cbsantispin]

We kept the pressure on for Roxana Saberi. Welcome Home! :)