John Kerry's Deep Concern Over the Proceedings of Jason Rezaian's Case

Following the news of the charges being presented against Jason Rezaian, a Washington Post journalist in Tehran, during a lengthy ten-hour court session, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry expressed deep disappointment and concern regarding the handling of Mr. Rezaian's case after four months in prison and the publication of various reports about him. In a statement, Mr. Kerry urged Iranian officials to release Mr. Rezaian as soon as possible and to refrain from pursuing what he described as unclear charges. According to a report on Sunday, December 7, by the Associated Press, John Kerry stated that he is worried about how Mr. Rezaian is being treated and the obstruction of his free access to a lawyer. Jason Rezaian, a dual U.S.-Iranian citizen and Washington Post reporter in Tehran, was charged on Saturday, December 6, after a long court session. The specific charges against Mr. Rezaian remain unclear at the time of writing this news. He was arrested on the last day of July along with his wife, Yeganeh Salehi, and two others in Tehran. Mr. Kerry specifically stated that 'the United States is seriously disappointed and concerned that Mr. Rezaian is facing unclear charges from the Iranian judiciary, and the judge has rejected his request for bail.' According to Mr. Kerry, preventing free access to a lawyer is 'a clear violation of international laws and norms that the Islamic Republic has also accepted.' Mr. Kerry acknowledged and expressed concern over the fears of Mr. Rezaian's family regarding reports that he has been under physical and psychological pressure during his detention and has not received appropriate medical care. In his statement, John Kerry mentioned that he has repeatedly spoken with Iranian officials about Jason Rezaian's case and several other American citizens and is now 'saddened and distressed.' John Kerry concluded by calling for the immediate release of this journalist as well as the release of Amir Hekmati and Saeed Abedini, and requested Tehran's cooperation in locating Robert Levinson. Additionally, according to the American newspaper Washington Post, during the court session on Saturday, a translator accompanied Jason Rezaian, who is unable to read Persian. The newspaper reported that Mr. Rezaian signed his charge sheet during the lengthy court session. Previously, Iranian judicial officials had stated that Jason Rezaian's release is not imminent and the case is still incomplete. In this context, Jason Rezaian's detention order has been extended. Larijani accused Jason Rezaian of activities 'disrupting security.' The Deputy Cultural Prosecutor stated that Jason Rezaian's release is not imminent.