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US Reporter Freed in Iran Thankful, Planning to Relax with Family



U.S. journalist Roxana Saberi has spoken to reporters for the first time since being freed from an Iranian jail, saying she has no immediate plans and just wants to relax with her family.

Wearing a blue headscarf, Saberi told journalists in Tehran Tuesday she is very happy and thankful to all the people who helped her.

The 32 year-old was arrested in January while buying a bottle of wine, which is illegal in Iran. She was later charged and found guilty last month of espionage.

After Saberi's lawyer appealed the court's decision, a judge reduced her sentence and freed her from prison Monday.

Saberi's father, Reza, says the family is preparing to take her back to the United States, but he has not said when they would go.

U.S. President Barack Obama has welcomed Iran's decision on Saberi, calling it a "humanitarian gesture." The United States continues to stress that the journalist was wrongly accused.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.

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