WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) announced that it is pleased at the news that American journalist Roxana Saberi has been released from prison in Iran. She has been held since January 2009 on charges of espionage.

The JACL, which is the nation's oldest and largest Asian American civil and human rights organization, is one of the groups which came out in support of Saberi, an American citizen of Japanese and Iranian descent. The United States government and human rights groups had called for her release and due process.

Saberi, who turned 32 years old while in prison, was born in New Jersey and raised in Fargo, North Dakota. She has lived in Iran for the past six years while freelancing and working on a book. She was arrested after her press credentials expired. She was sentenced last month to an eight year jail term on charges of spying for the United States. A Tehran appeals court reduced Saberi's prison term to a two-year suspended sentence which allowed for her release.

Floyd Mori, National Executive Director of the JACL, stated: "The release of Roxana Saberi is good news to the JACL. Our position has been clear in that we have felt she was subjected to unjust imprisonment on trumped up charges. We are happy to see that the Iranian government has heeded the requests of many global leaders and organizations for human rights by allowing Ms. Saberi to be released from her imprisonment. We wish her well as she returns to her home to resume her life and career."

JACL National President, Larry Oda said: "The JACL is pleased that Roxana Saberi has been released from prison in Iran so that she can return to the United States. Many Japanese Americans experienced unfair imprisonment during World War II and understand the mental torment which she has faced. We are glad for her release."