Iran judiciary vows "fair" appeal for reporter

By Fredrik Dahl and Hossein Jaseb

TEHRAN (Reuters) - The lawyer of an Iranian-American journalist jailed in Iran for espionage said on Monday he would appeal the eight-year sentence next week and the judiciary chief ordered a "quick and fair" handling of the case.

U.S.-born freelance reporter Roxana Saberi was sentenced on Saturday on charges of spying for the United States in a verdict that could complicate Washington's efforts for reconciliation with the Islamic Republic after three decades of mutual mistrust.

But in an intervention welcomed by her defence lawyer, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called on Tehran's general prosecutor on Sunday to ensure that the 31-year-old enjoys full legal rights to defend herself.

Analysts cautioned against seeing Saberi's conviction as a sign of Tehran rebuffing overtures by the new U.S. administration of President Barack Obama, who has offered a new beginning of engagement if Iran "unclenches its fist."

Iran, which marked its annual armed forces day on Saturday with a relatively low-key parade and little sign of the usual anti-Western slogans, says it would welcome constructive talks with world powers on its disputed nuclear work and other issues.

Saberi, who is a citizen of both the United States and Iran, was arrested in January for working in the country after her press credentials had expired.

"I don't think it has got anything to do with the Obama opening," said Ali Ansari of the University of St Andrews in Scotland. "It may affect it but I don't think it was driven or determined by it." Ansari said he would not be surprised if her sentence was reduced on appeal.

Obama said on Sunday he was "deeply concerned" for the safety of Saberi and urged Tehran to free her, saying he was confident she was not involved in spying.