Iranian lawyer meets detained US journalist

AFP: US-Iranian journalist Roxana Saberi has been able to meet with a lawyer for the first time since she was detained in a Tehran prison more than a month ago, the attorney said on Monday.

TEHRAN (AFP) — US-Iranian journalist Roxana Saberi has been able to meet with a lawyer for the first time since she was detained in a Tehran prison more than a month ago, the attorney said on Monday.

"I met Ms Saberi yesterday (Sunday) at a revolutionary court. She appeared fine," lawyer Abdolsamad Khoramshahi told AFP.

"I have not read the file yet and can't comment on the nature of the accusation against her," he said, adding that he would "see her again in prison in one or two days."

Human rights activists often complain that prisoners do not get quick and easy access to defence lawyers in the Islamic republic.

Khoramshahi said he could not confirm or deny comments by Tehran's deputy prosecutor Hassan Haddad who was quoted as saying Friday that Saberi would be released within a few days.

US-born Saberi, 31, was arrested in late January on charges of buying alcohol, which is prohibited in the Islamic republic, American media said, citing her father.

The Iranian foreign ministry has said Saberi, who also holds an Iranian passport, was working "illegally" in the country after her press card was revoked in 2006.