Increased Efforts at the United Nations for the Release of Jason Rezaian

The Washington Post and other advocates for Jason Rezaian, a jailed journalist in Iran, have reported an increase in their efforts aimed at securing his release. This journalist has now been imprisoned for 500 days without any formal charges being communicated to him. Recent actions for the release of the Washington Post journalist include updating his case at a United Nations body, with the goal of applying more international pressure on Tehran for his freedom. The main case was established in July at the UN working group on arbitrary detention. Recent updates indicate that Mr. Rezaian is in poor physical condition, suffering from high blood pressure and other ailments due to 'increased mistreatment by Iran,' according to the Washington Post. Meanwhile, Mr. Rezaian's brother announced on December 2 that he plans to submit a petition with over 500,000 signatures to the Iranian representation at the United Nations, demanding his 'immediate and unconditional release.' Jason Rezaian is among the Iranian-Americans detained in Iran for whom U.S. officials have repeatedly called for their release. This journalist was arrested 500 days ago. The Iranian judiciary announced at the beginning of December that, as in previous instances, although the sentence against Jason Rezaian has not been communicated to him or his lawyer, he has been sentenced to prison. The charges against this journalist include 'espionage' and 'actions against national security.' The Washington Post and the United States have rejected these charges, stating that there is no justification for his detention and that his trial process has lacked any transparency. The lawyer for the Washington Post has described Rezaian's imprisonment and trial as a 'political theater.'