on whether he can remain free throughout his appeal on tax evasion and conspiracy convictions.
His lawyers argue that the appeal may take up more time than the 33-month sentence he was given on conviction.
The prosecution argues that he might flee and return to Iran where he is known as Pirouz Sedaghaty. He already fled once to Iran when he was free after his arrest. But he eventually returned voluntarily to face trial.
Seda was due to head to prison last month. But the Medford Mail-Tribune reported that a US District Court judge ruled that he could remain free for the moment until a US Court of Appeals panel has time to rule on the main issue of whether he can remain free throughout his appeal.
Prosecutors did not oppose allowing Seda to remain free for now until the Appeals Court rules on the larger question of whether he can remain free throughout the appeal. But prosecutors have told the Appeals Court they want Seda jailed during the appeal.
The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has not set a date for ruling on Seda’s freedom. (See last week’s Iran Times, page four, for a full story on Seda’s appeal.)