Hoeven, Officials And Friends Welcome Roxana Saberi And Her Family Home To North Dakota

Press Release

Hoeven, Officials And Friends Welcome Roxana Saberi And Her Family Home To North Dakota

Gov. John Hoeven was joined today by Fargo Deputy Mayor Tim Mahoney, Rep. Earl Pomeroy, Concordia College President Pam Jolicoeur, Concordia College Journalism Professor Catherine McMullen and other well-wishers to welcome Roxana Saberi and her family home to North Dakota. Saberi, along with her parents Reza and Akiko, arrived at Fargo's Hector International Airport for the first time following her imprisonment in Iran.

"Today is a happy day for the people of North Dakota as we warmly welcome Roxana and her family home," said Hoeven. "I would like to thank everyone who showed support for Roxana and her family, whether it was through vigils, rallies or simply keeping them in their prayers. North Dakotans always come together in times of need, and this situation was no different. It is wonderful that we can finally come together to welcome Roxana and her family home."

Family, friends and students from Concordia College, Saberi's alma mater, gathered with signs, posters and balloons to welcome Saberi and her family, and celebrate her homecoming.

In January of this year, Saberi was arrested by the Iranian government in Tehran and was charged with spying for the United States. In mid-April, Iran's Revolutionary Court sentenced her to eight years in prison, but an appeals court reduced that to a two-year suspended sentence on May 11. She left Iran four days later. Last week, Saberi arrived in the United States, spending several days in Washington, D.C.

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