News Digest

Sentence condemned as ‘a sham’ as Iran jails US journalist for spying

Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian has been sentenced to an unspecified prison term after being convicted of spying in Iran. His punishment was announced in a statement on state TV’s website, which said: “In brief, it is a prison sentence.” However, it added that the verdict was “not finalized,” a reference to an expected appeal. Rezaian’s lawyer, Leila Ahsan, said she had not been informed of the verdict — let alone details of the sentence. The Post called for his release, saying the trial and his sentence were a sham.

I have no information about details of the verdict. We were expecting the verdict some three months ago.

Rezaian’s lawyer Leila Ahsan

Rezaian, 39, was detained with his wife, Yeganeh Salehi, and two photojournalists on July 22, 2014. All were later released except Rezaian, a dual U.S.-Iranian citizen. He went on trial in four closed-door court hearings at Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, which hears cases related to national security. Last month, he was convicted of spying and other charges. Earlier this month, the intelligence department of the powerful elite Revolutionary Guard claimed in a report to parliament that Rezaian is an agent seeking to overthrow Iran’s Islamic ruling system.

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.

Washington Post foreign editor Douglas Jehl