Ali Rezaian: Jason's 13-Month Detention is Against the Law

In the past year, amidst intense nuclear negotiations between the six major world powers and the Iranian government to diplomatically resolve issues related to the Islamic Republic's nuclear program, the fate of three American citizens imprisoned in Iran on various charges, including the disappearance of a former FBI agent, has become as sensitive and newsworthy as the important discussions among diplomats. Although the nuclear talks have concluded successfully, the case of the American citizens, three of whom have Iranian heritage, remains open. One of these imprisoned Americans is Jason Rezaian, a U.S.-born journalist and reporter for the renowned Washington Post in Tehran, who has been accused of espionage in the Islamic Republic. According to Ms. Leila Ahmadi, Jason's defense attorney, the court's ruling will be issued in the first week of Shahrivar. On the eve of the judge's announcement regarding Jason Rezaian's case, I spoke with his brother, Ali Rezaian, and asked him for the latest information about the court's outcome: Ali Rezaian: We expected to hear news from the court this week, but so far there has been no news, and it seems we will have to wait until next week. According to Iranian law, the court's ruling was supposed to be issued on Tuesday [August 27], but we have not heard anything in this regard. Jason was arrested in Tehran last July [July 22, 2014]. We know that prosecutors eventually charged him with espionage and other crimes. Have they presented any specific evidence in this regard that Jason's defense attorney could challenge? No! We do not know what is happening inside the court, but they have presented things that they claim are evidence. According to the defense attorney, who has studied the entire case, there is no convincing evidence in the case that justifies the charges against Jason. One point must be made clear. They raised the first charges five months after Jason's arrest. His detention was not based on evidence and proof; he was arrested, and after five months of interrogation, charges were brought against him. For example, among the evidence they claim to have is an email. They have never said that Jason had access to any classified or confidential information. They have said that he talked about the exchange rate of the Iranian currency and similar issues; therefore, there is no real evidence indicating his wrongdoing, and everything they have said is ridiculous. As you mentioned earlier, the last court session was on August 10 [August 1]. Do you know what might happen next? As I understand it, the next step should be the issuance of the judge's ruling. In the last court session, which was the fourth session after 13 months of detention, the defense attorney presented his defense brief, and now we must wait for the judge's ruling. Recently, there have been speculations about exchanging Jason for some Iranians imprisoned in the United States for criminal offenses. What information do you have about this? Ali Rezaian: Jason has not been convicted of any crime and is completely innocent. The idea that he would be exchanged for someone who committed a crime in the United States is ridiculous. He is innocent. He has been wrongly detained and isolated for 13 months, which is completely inhumane and against the law according to the Iranian judicial system. I have no information about this. I have heard discussions among some members of the Iranian parliament, and no one has said that such an option is being pursued or is real. What has been said is that the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic must approve it, which has not happened. Jason has not been convicted of any crime and is completely innocent. The idea that he would be exchanged for someone who committed a crime in the United States is ridiculous. He is innocent. He has been wrongly detained and isolated for 13 months, which is completely inhumane and against the law according to the Iranian judicial system. The Iranian government is committed under UN conventions and international obligations, and everything that has happened regarding Jason has been completely illegal. Mr. Ali Rezaian, in continuation of this conversation, I would like to ask if you have any news about the UN's request for Jason's immediate release? The United Nations' request was issued through the organization's working group on arbitrary detentions and submitted to the Iranian government. I think they have a few weeks to respond to the UN's letter; however, I have no information about the Iranian government's reaction and am not aware if the UN experts' group has received an official response. What I know is that last week, the UN working group submitted its letter, signed by at least three special rapporteurs of the organization in various sections, to the Iranian government and called for Jason's immediate release. It is clear that Jason's case has been wrongly formed and he has committed no wrongdoing. This is truly unprecedented. Jason is a reputable and qualified journalist, and there is no evidence of his wrongdoing, and in this regard, the world and the highest officials of the Iranian government are aware of what is happening and know that such an act is not right. Is the U.S. government doing enough to secure Jason's release? You know, as I have previously answered this question elsewhere, I firmly believe that until Jason is free, no one has taken adequate action. Neither the U.S. government, nor the Iranian government, nor the UN, nor anyone else. Until Jason is free and they have not acknowledged their mistake, no one has taken sufficient action in this regard. How is Jason's situation? Do you think he has enough strength to cope with these conditions? He is resilient and knows he is innocent. He has the support of his defense attorney and is now prepared to face any eventuality. If Jason is not released, that will be a much bigger story, and we will continue our efforts. They must release Jason as soon as possible. The past thirteen months have been a very difficult period for your family, especially for your mother. How is she coping with this issue? She is very anxious and worried. I spoke with her yesterday [Tuesday, August 27], and she said that after 13 months, the hardest stage has now arrived, and we are waiting to see what happens. We hope, of course, if the judge rules based on the evidence and facts. People know what is happening, and the whole world is aware of this case. If the right decision is made, Jason will be released and allowed to be free. Of course, we have no control over affairs in Iran, and we can only talk to you and other media and tell you what the reality is.