Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian was sentenced to an unspecified prison term by the Iranian judiciary, according to a report broadcast Sunday by Iranian state television.
Rezaian, a dual U.S.-Iranian citizen raised in Marin County, California, had traveled to the country with his wife Yeganeh Salehi and two photojournalists. He was detained in Iran with them all on July 22, 2014.
All were released except the reporter, who was tried and convicted on charges of espionage, and other undisclosed charges as well. Iran does not recognize dual nationality status and labeled Rezaian an “American spy.”
Washington Post foreign editor Douglas Jehl vigorously denied the accusations: “We’re aware of the reports in the Iranian media, but have no further information at this time,” he said in a statement. “Every day that Jason is in prison is an injustice. He has done nothing wrong. Even after keeping Jason in prison 488 days so far, Iran has produced no evidence of wrongdoing. His trial and sentence are a sham, and he should be released immediately.”
Rezaian’s attorney, Leila Ahsan, told The Associated Press that she had not even been informed of the verdict, let alone details of the sentence. “I have no information about details of the verdict,” she said. “We were expecting the verdict some three months ago.”
The case was tried in hearings at Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, where cases are heard on national security.
The journalist was incarcerated and tried on the charges – and convicted – even as the United States and other world powers negotiated and closed a deal with Iran for a 10-year nuclear technology limitations agreement in exchange for international sanctions relief.
At the end, United States negotiators abandoned its citizens who remained trapped in Iran.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, who led the negotiations on the Iranian deal which was vehemently opposed by Israel, is now in the region for a three-day visit with top government officials in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, as well as meetings in Ramallah and Abu Dhabi.
