The trial of Jason Rezaian, the Iranian-American reporter for the Washington Post in Iran, continued for a second day behind closed doors on Monday June 8.
IRNA reports that Rezaian’s wife, Yeganeh Salehi, a reporter for the UAE National daily, and another photojournalist are also standing trial with Jason Rezaian before Judge Salavati.
Defence lawyer Leyla Ahsan told reporters on Sunday June 7 that since the judge has closed the trial to the public, she is not at liberty to report on its progress.
Jason Rezaian and his spouse, photojournalist Yeganeh Salehi, were arrested on June 22, 2014. While the others were later released on bail, Jason Rezaian was kept in jail and was finally granted leave to meet with his lawyer last May.
The judiciary has indicated that the charges against Rezaian are “espionage for the benefit of a hostile country, the United States, and propaganda activities against the regime”.
The U.S. has denied the espionage charges and called for Rezaian’s release on several occasions.
