Jailed US reporter appeals against verdict

Tehran: Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi has appealed against her eight-year sentence for spying against Iran, the official IRNA news agency said on Tuesday.

Saberi, 31, was sentenced on Saturday on charges of spying for the United States, in a verdict that could complicate Washington's efforts towards reconciliation with the Islamic Republic after three decades of mutual mistrust.

"Saberi has appealed and I hope that the appeal court will change the verdict," IRNA quoted judiciary spokesman Alireza Jamshidi as saying.

Saberi's lawyer had said on Monday he would appeal the sentence next week, telling reporters he was "very hopeful and optimistic" that she would be acquitted or at least have her sentence cut.