Exclusive | Trial of Reza Valizadeh; Verdict to be Announced on Sunday

An informed source announced to the Persian section of Voice of America on Saturday, November 3, that the verdict of the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Tehran for Reza Valizadeh, the imprisoned Iranian-American journalist, will be delivered on Sunday, December 4. According to this informed source, Reza Valizadeh, a former Radio Farda journalist, has been accused of 'collaboration with the hostile government of the United States,' 'failure to cooperate with the intelligence protection of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Ministry of Intelligence,' and 'failure to express remorse.' The trial of Mr. Valizadeh has taken place in Branch 26 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Tehran, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. Additionally, the Iranian government’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it is 'aware of the detention of Reza Valizadeh.' During his detention, he has been deprived of access to a lawyer and was only able to meet with his lawyer, Mohammad Hossein Aghasi, for half an hour in the presence of agents just half an hour before the trial began. The informed source indicated that the judge did not allow Mohammad Hossein Aghasi to defend in two trial sessions and informed him that he could only submit a defense statement. It was noted that only Reza Valizadeh was able to speak during his trial session. This imprisoned Iranian-American journalist is currently held in Security Ward 209 of Evin Prison, is prohibited from receiving visitors, and is only allowed a short weekly phone call with his parents. According to a source close to Reza Valizadeh's family, this imprisoned journalist, who has been detained for over two months, was initially held for 11 days by the intelligence of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and after some time in solitary confinement, was transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison three weeks ago. Meanwhile, Ismail Baqaei, the spokesman for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was the first Iranian government official to confirm Reza Valizadeh's detention on November 21 but stated that he was 'unaware of his dual nationality.' The Islamic Republic of Iran does not recognize dual citizenship for Iranian citizens. The U.S. Department of State has stated that it is 'aware of reports regarding the detention of an Iranian-American citizen in Iran.' Reza Valizadeh, a former Radio Farda journalist, left this media outlet about two years ago in 1401 (2022). Shortly thereafter, he announced on his social media account on 'X' that he returned to Iran on March 6, 1402 (February 25, 2023) and wrote: 'I entered Tehran on March 6, 1402. Before that, I had incomplete negotiations with the intelligence organization of the IRGC. Ultimately, I returned to my country after 14 years at my own responsibility and without even a verbal guarantee.' The Iranian government labels many Persian-language media outlets abroad, including Voice of America and Radio Farda, as 'hostile entities' and considers journalists from these media as security suspects. Skyler Thompson, Deputy of the Washington-based Human Rights Activists, stated in a message to Voice of America that the U.S. Department of State 'should use all available diplomatic channels to investigate Valizadeh's detention and ensure his immediate and unhindered access to legal counsel.' According to the Human Rights Campaign in Iran, at least 34 journalists and media activists have been detained by the Islamic Republic in Iran since the first half of this year. Hadi Ghaemi, director of the Human Rights Campaign in Iran, has called on the international community to take 'clear and specific' action against the 'transnational repression of journalists' by the Islamic Republic. Behnam Darayi Zadeh, a journalist and senior researcher at this organization, told Voice of America that in addition to the 'systematic and serious threats' posed by the Islamic Republic against journalists inside Iran, reports from intelligence agencies in Western countries, including the U.S., U.K., and Canada, indicate that journalists and media activists abroad are also under threat and pursuit by agents of the Islamic Republic without their knowledge. Previously, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations expressed concern over the increase in violence and attacks against journalists worldwide in a statement on the occasion of 'International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists' and called for accountability for the perpetrators of these crimes. Exclusive: The U.S. is reviewing the case of a dual-national prisoner in Iran. The detention of Reza Valizadeh, a former Radio Farda journalist, after returning to Iran. Congratulations to U.S. exiled Iranian media for being nominated for the Press Freedom Award.