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Washington Post calls Iran's ruling on Jason Rezaian 'vague and puzzling' Washington Post calls Iran's ruling on Jason Rezaian 'vague and puzzling'
(about 3 hours later)
The Washington Post said on Sunday Iran’s ruling on espionage charges against its reporter Jason Rezaian was “vague and puzzling”, and it was not clear whether it included a verdict and sentence.The Washington Post said on Sunday Iran’s ruling on espionage charges against its reporter Jason Rezaian was “vague and puzzling”, and it was not clear whether it included a verdict and sentence.
Related: Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian goes on trial in Iran for spyingRelated: Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian goes on trial in Iran for spying
An Iranian judiciary spokesman said on Sunday a ruling had been issued but that it could be appealed and is not final. An Iranian judiciary spokesman said a ruling had been issued but that it could be appealed and was not final.
“We have no further information at this time and it is not clear whether this ruling includes a verdict or a sentence – or even whether its contents have been communicated to Jason or his lawyer,” Washington Post executive editor Martin Baron said in a statement.“We have no further information at this time and it is not clear whether this ruling includes a verdict or a sentence – or even whether its contents have been communicated to Jason or his lawyer,” Washington Post executive editor Martin Baron said in a statement.
State Department spokesman John Kirby said Washington was awaiting details.State Department spokesman John Kirby said Washington was awaiting details.
“We’re monitoring the situation closely,” Kirby said, “and we continue to call for all charges against Jason to be dropped and for him to be immediately released.”“We’re monitoring the situation closely,” Kirby said, “and we continue to call for all charges against Jason to be dropped and for him to be immediately released.”
In response to a question at a weekly news briefing, according to the official IRNA news agency, Iranian judiciary spokesman Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejehi said: “The verdict has been issued.”In response to a question at a weekly news briefing, according to the official IRNA news agency, Iranian judiciary spokesman Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejehi said: “The verdict has been issued.”
It was the first time an Iranian judicial official has confirmed that a verdict has been reached. It was the first time an Iranian judicial official has confirmed that a verdict has been reached. Ejehi said the verdict could be appealed within 20 days. He said he did not know if the verdict had been given to Rezaian or his lawyer, Leila Ahsan.
Ejehi said the verdict could be appealed within 20 days. He said he did not know if the verdict had been given to Rezaian or his lawyer, Leila Ahsan.
Calls to Ahsan and to Rezaian’s wife, Yeganeh Salehi, were not immediately returned.
Rezaian was detained with his wife and two photojournalists on 22 July 2014. All were later released except Rezaian.Rezaian was detained with his wife and two photojournalists on 22 July 2014. All were later released except Rezaian.
Rezaian, the Post’s Tehran bureau chief since 2012, has dual Iranian-American nationality. Iran does not recognise dual-nationality. The Post, US officials and Rezaian’s family have all called for his release.Rezaian, the Post’s Tehran bureau chief since 2012, has dual Iranian-American nationality. Iran does not recognise dual-nationality. The Post, US officials and Rezaian’s family have all called for his release.
Rezaian faced charges of espionage in a closed-door trial that has been widely criticized by the US government and press freedom organizations. He reportedly faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted. Rezaian faced charges of espionage in a closed-door trial widely criticized by the US government and press freedom organizations. He reportedly faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
Post foreign editor Douglas Jehl told Reuters the vague nature of Iran’s announcement showed that the case was not just about espionage and that the reporter was a bargaining chip in a “larger game”.
“It’s increasingly clear that the final decision about how Jason’s case will be handled will be made by political authorities, not by judicial ones,” Jehl said.
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Rezaian’s brother Ali had noted on Friday that his brother had been imprisoned for 444 days – the same length of time American staff were held after the 1979 seizure of the US embassy in Tehran.
In a statement on Sunday, Ali Rezaian said Iran’s announcement “follows an unconscionable pattern by Iranian authorities of silence, obfuscation, delay and a total lack of adherence to international law, as well as Iranian law”.
Iranian parliament speaker Ali Larijani hinted last month at the possibility that Rezaian could be freed in exchange for Iranian prisoners in the US, but officials have played down the possibility of such a swap.
Two other US citizens – Christian pastor Saeed Abedini and Amir Hekmati, a former marine corps sergeant – also are being held in Iran. Robert Levinson, a private investigator, disappeared there in 2007.
Their cases have been raised in talks, including between Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif and Secretary of State John Kerry when they met during the United Nations general assembly in New York last month. No progress was announced.