Iran has sentenced Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian to prison for an unspecified period of time, the state news agency said on Sunday. The spokesman for Iran’s judiciary announced the punishment in a statement, the Associated Press says. But as has become the norm with this case, details were scant. “Serving a jail term is in Jason Rezaian’s sentence but I cannot give details,” the spokesman said. He added that the verdict is “not finalized,” in what was an apparent reference to a possible appeal.
Neither Rezaian’s lawyer nor the State Department could independently confirm the news. Rezaian, a 39-year-old dual U.S.-Iranian citizen, was arrested in July 2014 and accused of espionage. He was also accused of “collaborating with hostile governments” and publishing “propaganda against the establishment.”
Douglas Jehl, the foreign editor of the Washington Post, released a statement:
We’re aware of the reports in the Iranian media, but have no further information at this time. Every day that Jason is in prison is an injustice. He has done nothing wrong. Even after keeping Jason in prison 487 days so far, Iran has produced no evidence of wrongdoing. His trial and sentence are a sham, and he should be released immediately.
Rezaian, who grew up in California, has covered Iran for the Post since 2012.
