Authorities in Iran have arrested and detained an American freelance journalist who has reported for NPR, the BBC and other news organizations.

Roxana Saberi, 31, was born in the United States to an Iranian-born father and Japanese-born mother. Saberi moved to Iran six years ago and was arrested in Tehran almost a month ago.

Saberi was engaged in "illegal" activities because she continued working after the government revoked her press credentials in 2006, the Associated Press reported.

"She said that she had bought a bottle of wine and the person that sold it had reported it and then they came and arrested her," he said, adding that that was just an excuse to arrest her.