Jason Rezaian

Jason Rezaian
Jason Rezaian in 2016
Born (1976-03-15) March 15, 1976 (age 48)
Marin County, California, U.S.
CitizenshipUnited States, Iran
EducationThe New School
OccupationJournalist
EmployerThe Washington Post
SpouseYeganeh Salehi
Parents
  • Taghi Rezaian (father)
  • Mary Rezaian (mother)
WebsiteWashington Post Bio
Jason Rezaian and his wife watch a lecture on press freedom by John Kerry after Rezaian's release

Jason Rezaian (Persian: جیسون رضائیان; born on March 16, 1976) is an Iranian-American journalist who served as Tehran bureau chief for The Washington Post. He was convicted of espionage in a closed-door trial in Iran in 2015.

On July 22, 2014, Iranian authorities arrested Rezaian and his wife, Yeganeh Salehi, and took the couple into custody, accusing them of espionage. While Salehi – also a journalist – was released on October 6, Rezaian remained in custody at Evin Prison, a detention center in Tehran known for housing political prisoners and intellectuals.[1] After nine months, it was made public on April 20, 2015, that Iranian authorities had indicted him on four charges, including espionage and "propaganda against the establishment".[2] His trial began on May 26, 2015.[3] His conviction was announced on October 11, 2015. On November 22, 2015, Iranian officials said he had been sentenced to a prison term, the length of which was not disclosed.[4][5] On January 16, 2016, it was announced that he had been released.[6][7]

  1. ^ "Detention taking 'devastating toll' on Post reporter locked up in Iran". The Washington Post. December 10, 2014.
  2. ^ "Post reporter jailed in Iran faces 4 charges including espionage". The Washington Post. April 20, 2015.
  3. ^ Thomas Erdbrink (May 26, 2015). "Jason Rezaian of Washington Post Goes on Trial in Iran". The New York Times. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  4. ^ "Jason Rezaian convicted in secret Iran espionage trial, Washington Post says". The Guardian. October 12, 2015.
  5. ^ "Iran jails Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian". The Guardian. November 22, 2015.
  6. ^ "Jason Rezaian and 3 Other US Inmates Freed by Iran". Retrieved January 16, 2016.
  7. ^ Michael Pearson. "Iran free four U.S. prisoners, including Jason Rezaian, in swap". Retrieved January 16, 2016.