TEHRAN – Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi has ordered a “fair appeal” for U.S.-Iranian national Roxana Saberi who was sentenced to 8 years on espionage charges, Judiciary spokesman announced on Monday.

Shahroudi’s order came after President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday said she must have the legal right to defend herself.
Alireza Jamshidi said Shahroudi has ordered “careful, quick and fair” consideration of Saberi’s appeal against the 8-year sentence.
Saberi, 31, moved to Iran six years ago and worked as a freelance journalist for National Public Radio and the BBC. She was arrested for working illegally since her press credential was revoked in 2006.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman also advised foreign officials and individuals to avoid making hasty judgments over the Saberi case.
“I recommend that as long as one has not studied the contents of the case he should not express his views,"" Hassan Qashqavi told a press conference.
“Saberi’s press credential was revoked in 2006 and she had been disseminating news and information” illegally. However, he noted, Iran’s legal system ensures the defendant's right of appeal.
Like other Iranian citizens “she has definitely the right of appeal,” Qashqavi added.
""She is an Iranian national and she has had full access to lawyer"" and that she has got a fair trial and “her case would be fairly considered.