Washington Post reporter facing ‘espionage’ charges
Journalist detained eight months ago charged with multiple offenses; US, family call for his release
Jason Rezaian, a Washington Post reporter currently in Iranian custody. (screen capture: YouTube/Washington Post)
TEHRAN, Iran — A news agency says a Washington Post journalist detained in Iran for over eight months is accused of “espionage.”
The semiofficial Fars news agency says Jason Rezaian, who has been held on unspecified charges since July 22, is also facing the charge of “acting against national security.” The report did not elaborate on the source of the information, but the FARS agency is regarded as close to Iran’s hard-liners.
Previously Iranian officials have only said Rezaian is facing “security” charges and that he will stand trial in Iran’s Revolutionary Court, which mostly hears cases involving security offenses.
The Post, US officials and Rezaian’s mother repeatedly have called for his release.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press
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