Iran Convicts Roxana Saberi In Sham Trial

Once again, Iran engages in actions designed to test the Obama Administration and shows its usual disregard for law and human rights. The lawyer for Roxana Saberi says that she was convicted of spying in the secret trial.

An American journalist jailed in Iran has been convicted of spying and sentenced to eight years in prison, her lawyer said Saturday, dashing any hopes for her quick release.

The verdict was the first time Iran has found an American journalist guilty of spying, and it was unclear how the conviction would affect recent overtures by the Obama administration for better relations and engagement with Washington's longtime adversary.

Roxana Saberi, a 31-year-old dual American-Iranian citizen, was arrested in late January and initially accused of working without press credentials. But earlier this month, an Iranian judge leveled a far more serious allegation, charging her with spying for the United States.

She appeared before an Iranian court behind closed doors on Monday in an unusually swift one-day trial. The Fargo, North Dakota native had been living in Iran for six years and had worked as a freelance reporter for several news organizations including National Public Radio and the British Broadcasting Corp.

It was a one-day trial, primarily because it was a kangaroo court. There's no way you can offer up a defense when the trial is stacked against you.

UPDATE:
Hot Air and Jammie weigh in on Iran's conviction of Saberi and the tepid American response.