Father of US journalist jailed in Iran says she was tricked

Tehran: The father of an American journalist sentenced to eight years in prison in Iran for spying says she was tricked into making incriminating statements by officials who told her they would free her if she did.

Reza Saberi said his daughter, Roxana, denied the incriminating statements she made when she realised she had been tricked but "apparently in the case they didn't consider her denial."

He said his daughter was convicted Wednesday, but the court waited until Saturday to announce the verdict to the lawyers.

He is in Iran but was not allowed into the courtroom to see his daughter, who he described as "quite depressed."

North Dakota Senator Byron Dorgan called on the Iranian government to "show compassion" and release Saberi.

The verdict on Saberi is the harshest sentence ever meted out to a dual national on security charges in Iran, and comes just weeks after the United States proposed better ties with Tehran.

US President Barack Obama expressed his deep disappointment over the charges.

Obama "is deeply disappointed at this news. His thoughts and prayers are with her and her family," his spokesman Robert Gibbs said in Trinidad, where the US president was attending a Summit of the Americas.

"What we think is important is that the situation be remedied," the spokesman said. "We will continue to express the concerns that we have."

Meanwhile, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Sunday called on Sunday for fair treatment for Saberi, the Irna news agency reported.

He said the Tehran prosecutor should examine the case against Saberi and "do what is needed to secure justice."

"Take care that the defendants have all the legal freedoms and rights to defend themselves against the charges," said a letter from his chief of staff Abdolreza Shaikholeslami.