Iran said on Monday an Iranian-American journalist jailed for spying had the right to appeal against her eight-year sentence, but that the United States should respect rulings issued by Iranian courts.

U.S. President Barack Obama said on Sunday he was "deeply concerned" for the safety of jailed freelance reporter Roxana Saberi and urged Tehran to free her, saying he was confident she was not involved in spying.

On Saturday Saberi was jailed on charges of spying for the United States.

Asked about Obama's comments, Foreign Ministry spokesman Hassan Qashqavi told a news conference: "It is an international norm that one should respect the rulings issued by the court."

He added: "I recommend that as long as you have not studied the contents of the case one should not just express his views ... I'm sure some American officials have also studied law."

Qashqavi's remarks were translated by Iran's English-language Press TV.

"But I should emphasise that we take into consideration all the legal issues, including the right of appeal, and this is a right that is preserved for Roxana Saberi," he said.

Defence lawyer Abdolsamad Khorramshahi has said he will appeal against the verdict on Saberi.

In a statement welcomed by Khorramshahi, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday urged Iran's judiciary to ensure that Saberi enjoys her legal right to defend herself and said the legal process should be based on justice.


Reuters

Güncelleme Tarihi: 20 Nisan 2009, 16:17