Washington Post journalist, Jason Rezaian, is to be charged by Iran for his alleged involvement in espionage, collaborating with with hostile governments and propaganda against the establishment, reports Reuters.
The Washington Post executive editor, Martin Baron, said that Mr Rezian could face up to 20 years in prison, adding that,
“It is absurd and despicable to assert, as Iran’s judiciary is now claiming, that Jason’s work first as a freelance reporter and then as The Post’s Tehran correspondent amounted to espionage or otherwise posed any threat to Iranian national security.”
Mr Rezian’s attorney, Leilah Ahsan, said that Iran’s indictment accused the journalist of collecting information “about internal and foreign policy,” and providing information to “individuals with hostile intent.”
The White House and US State Department said that they had no official confirmation of any charges against Rezaian. The US Spokeswoman said that it would be “patently absurd” if reports of espionage claims against him were true.
The Washington Post executive editor, Martin Baron, said that Mr Rezian could face up to 20 years in prison, adding that,
“It is absurd and despicable to assert, as Iran’s judiciary is now claiming, that Jason’s work first as a freelance reporter and then as The Post’s Tehran correspondent amounted to espionage or otherwise posed any threat to Iranian national security.”
Mr Rezian’s attorney, Leilah Ahsan, said that Iran’s indictment accused the journalist of collecting information “about internal and foreign policy,” and providing information to “individuals with hostile intent.”
The White House and US State Department said that they had no official confirmation of any charges against Rezaian. The US Spokeswoman said that it would be “patently absurd” if reports of espionage claims against him were true.