Saberi's Release Is Not My Call: Ahmadinejad

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad skirted talk of releasing jailed Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi during an interview with ABC News, saying that decision lies with Iran's “independent” judiciary. Responding to President Obama’s concerns for her safety, the Iranian president said, “I think Mr. Obama, as a sign of change and also to encourage friendship, should allow laws to be processed fairly.”

Ahmadinejad also said requests to visit the 31-year-old Saberi—who faces 8 years in jail for spying—will be up to judges: “Let’s see. We’ll see if our judicial regulations allow for that, sure, but if they do not allow for that, no. I’m afraid not.” (More Roxana Saberi stories.)