Washington Post reporter could soon get verdict in Iran case

TEHRAN, Iran — The Iranian-American reporter for the Washington Post detained in Tehran for more than a year on charges including espionage speaks in his own defense Monday during a final closed-door hearing in a trial that has been criticized by the paper and press freedom advocates.

A verdict in journalist Jason Rezaian’s case could come as early as next week, says his lawyer, Leila Ahsan. She tells The Associated Press she submitted a 20-page defense brief at the start of Monday’s session, gave an oral defense during the hearing, and provided the court with a separate written statement at the end following remarks from the prosecutor.

Ahsan confirms that Rezaian also addressed the court during the hearing, which she says was the last in the case. She declines to provide details, citing confidentiality rules surrounding the trial.

Rezaian’s mother, Mary, appears at the courthouse with her son’s wife and fellow journalist, Yeganeh Salehi, though they are not allowed inside the courtroom as in past hearings. She repeats her family’s and the Post’s position that Rezaian is innocent, telling reporters he is a victim of the hostility between Iran and the United States that dates back to the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

— AP