Iranian officials have announced they have cut reporter Roxana Saberi’s jail sentence following an appeal by the journalist. Saberi will be released Monday.

Originally charged with spying and sentanced to 8 years in jail, Saberi’s father said “Her sentence was cut down to two years with five years suspense, so after five years if there is nothing happened those two years will be forgiven.”

What is interesting about this is that her appeal was heard after a lot of international outcry. I wonder if Iranian officials realized the backlash this created throughout the world, and are reducing her sentence as a form of public diplomacy.