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Washington Post reporter goes on trial again in Iran

Jason Rezaian, The Washington Post's correspondent in Tehran

Iran holds another hearing in the trial of The Washington Post’s correspondent in Tehran Jason Rezaian, who is facing espionage and security charges.

The fourth in-camera hearing for Jason Rezaian began in a Tehran court on Monday.

The reporter’s lawyer, Leila Ahsan, said after the court session that Rezaian presented his final defense, adding that the Monday hearing could be his final.

“They told me that this would be the last hearing, but I cannot be 100 percent sure because there are always unexpected matters,” Ahsan said, adding that her client had been refused bail.

However, Iranian judiciary’s news service Mizan quoted unidentified sources as saying that the judge presiding over the case could order another session. The source however, confirmed that the session was Rezaian’s last chance for defense.

Ahsan expressed hope that her client would know his verdict “in a week,” saying she expects the court to acquit Rezaian of his charges.

Rezaian, a 39-year-old correspondent with a dual Iran-US citizenship, along with his wife, Yeganeh Salehi, was arrested in Tehran on July 22, 2014.

He has been The Post’s correspondent in Tehran since 2012.

He is facing charges of “espionage, collaboration with hostile governments, gathering classified information and disseminating propaganda against the Islamic Republic.”

Jason’s wife, who worked as a correspondent for the UAE-based newspaper National, was released on bail in October 2014.

The US government has repeatedly called for Rezaian's release. 


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