American reporter’s family urges Iran to release him

TEHRAN // The family of a Washington Post journalist held in Iran without charge for 100 days has challenged the authorities to state their case or free him.

Jason Rezaian, a dual United States-Iranian citizen who is the Iran correspondent of The Washington Post, was arrested at his home in Tehran on July 22 but the allegations against him have never been officially disclosed.

His wife Yeganeh Salehi, The National’s correspondent in Iran, was detained the same day but released in October.

An open letter signed by his mother and brother cited the reporter’s lengthy detention and lack of clarity surrounding it, was published on the Washington Post’s website on Wednesday.

“If Iran has any evidence against Jason then why have we not heard of it?” they said.

“If, after 100 days, Iran’s professionally trained and liberally employed interrogators have found evidence against Jason then why has he not been charged and permitted to employ an attorney and defend himself?

“After 100 days, it’s time for Iran to concede Jason’s innocence and release him.”

Mr Rezaian, 38, was arrested along with Ms Salehi, who is Iranian, and another couple, one of whom is a photojournalist and dual US-Iranian citizen.

Only Mr Rezaian remains in custody. One conservative newspaper in Tehran accused him of espionage and Iranian officials have also hinted in that direction, saying his detention is a security matter.

Ms Salehi and the photojournalist remain on bail.

Despite pressure from the US state department, Iran’s president Hassan Rouhani, foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and other officials have said the cases are a matter for the judiciary.

A top Iranian official defended the country’s investigation of the journalists in an interview aired on CNN on Wednesday, telling the US news channel that charges could still be brought.

“Unfortunately, they have been involved in activities which our security people consider... definitely beyond journalism,” said Mohammad Javad Larijani, head of the Iranian judiciary’s human rights branch.

“Accusations, when it is considered as substantial and capable of being prosecuted by law, it becomes charges.

“So during the court process it will be definitely explained and determined whether they are serious charges or it could be dropped. They have ample opportunity to defend themselves,” Mr Larijani said.

However, the Washington Post said it was “inexplicable and utterly unacceptable” that Mr Rezaian has been held for 100 days.

“The time is long overdue for the Iranian authorities to release Jason and to allow him to be reunited with his family,” said Douglas Jehl, the newspaper’s foreign editor.

* Agence France-Presse