Reverend Jesse Jackson seeks visit to Iran to appeal for release of US journalist

Cyberjaya: The Reverend Jesse Jackson says he would like to travel to Iran to personally appeal for the release of a US journalist convicted for spying and sentenced to eight years imprisonment.

The American civil rights activist says he "would be anxious to travel with a delegation to Iran if we are permitted and make an appeal for her freedom."

Jackson was speaking at a university forum during a visit Monday to Malaysia.

Iran has released very few facts about Roxana Saberi's case and initially said she was arrested for working without press credentials. The government later charged the 31-year-old dual American-Iranian citizen with spying for the United States and convicted her in a one-day trial behind closed doors. The court announced the verdict Saturday.