US journalist freed in Iran heads home

[May 22, 2009]  VIENNA (AP) -- An official says an American journalist who spent four months in an Iranian prison is on her way to the United States.

Robert Hugins, public affairs officer at the U.S. Embassy in Austria, says Roxana Saberi left Vienna Friday morning on a flight bound for Washington, D.C.

The 32-year-old journalist, who moved to Iran six years ago, was arrested in late January and convicted of spying in a closed-door trial that her Iranian-born father said lasted only 15 minutes.

She was freed on May 11 and spent a week in Austria recuperating.

Hugins said Roxana is traveling with her parents and a family friend.

[Associated Press]

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