Journalist freed from Iran welcomed home

updated 6:19 p.m. ET May 30, 2009

FARGO, N.D. - Journalist Roxana Saberi, released from prison in Iran earlier this month, returned home to North Dakota.

The 32-year-old Saberi was greeted at the Fargo airport by a crowd of well-wishers and "Welcome home, Roxana" signs.

Gov. John Hoeven and Rep. Earl Pomeroy were among the officials who met her after she stepped off the plane Saturday afternoon.

Students and teachers from her alma mater, Concordia College in neighboring Moorhead, Minn., brought maroon and gold balloons.

Saberi, who lived in Iran for six years and has dual citizenship, was arrested Jan. 31 and charged with spying for the United States.

She was sentenced to eight years in prison, but an appeals court reduced that to a two-year suspended sentence and released her on May 11.

She grew up in Fargo where her parents still live.

More on Roxana Saberi |  Iran

More from msnbc.com Theater troupe makes dreams come true |   Video World Blog: What's at stake in Copenhagen? What do you remember? Take our weekly quiz ‘Three Cups of Tea’ advice for Obama Will nuclear fusion fade ... or finally flare? Giving back for the holiday season? Tell us how On Twitter: Breaking news updates | Weird and wild

MORE FROM MIDEAST & N. AFRICA

Mideast & N. Africa Section Front

Gunmen kill 4 Iraqi policemen   Israeli settlers step up protest against freeze A lost son returns to Iraq killing fields Iraqi counterterror officer falls to his prey Dubai ruler's ambition sowed seeds of crisis Bad teeth tormented ancient Egyptians Mideast & N. Africa Section Front   Add Mideast & N. Africa headlines to your news reader: