Iran Holds Third Closed Session in Trial of Post Reporter

The closed-door trial of Washington Post correspondent Jason Rezaian, who has been detained in an Iranian prison for nearly a year, resumed for a third session Monday.

No decision in the case was announced.

The timing of the hearing was noteworthy, coinciding with a push between Iran and world powers to complete a historic deal in Vienna that could impose curbs on Iran’s contested nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

Rezaian, 39, is being tried in Revolutionary Court on charges that include espionage and distributing propaganda against the Islamic Republic. U.S. officials, the Post and rights groups have criticized his trial and pressed for his release.

Iran’s official IRNA news agency reported that the hearing occurred but it did not provide details.

The first two sessions in the case were held in May and June.

Mary Rezaian, the journalist’s mother, appeared at the courthouse with his wife, Yeganeh Salehi.

As in past hearings, they were not allowed inside the courtroom.

She expressed hope her son would be released on bail in the coming days, but said his defense lawyer, Leila Ahsan, has not been able to tell the family what happened in the hearing.

Rezaian is a dual U.S.-Iranian citizen who was born and spent most of his life in the United States. Iran does not recognize other nationalities for its citizens.

This article appeared in print on page 2 of the July 14th, 2015 edition of Hamodia.