Kerry Calls on Iran to Release Jason Rezaian

December 8, 2014

             On December 7, Secretary of State John Kerry called for the release of Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian, a dual U.S.-Iranian citizen who has been detained in Iran since late July. Earlier in the day, Rezaian was formally charged in a 10-hour court session but was not told what he was being charged with. Rezaian’s Iranian wife, Yaganeh Salehi, a correspondent for the Emirates-based paper The National, was initially detained as well but was released in October. Rezaian is reportedly under physical and psychological stress from some 137 days in solitary confinement.
             Rezaian’s family also released a statement in reaction to the unknown charges, calling on Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to order the “immediate and unconditional release” of Jason. “In its ongoing disregard of Iran’s own laws, the Iranian judiciary has continued to deny Jason access to legal representation, denied his request for bail, and prevented access to review of his case file,” the statement read.
            Rezaian’s detention has sparked an international outcry from governments, human rights groups and others. In October, 135 Iranian journalists sent an open letter to Rouhani holding him accountable for not creating a more secure working environment for the media. The following is Kerry’s full statement on Rezaian, in which he also called on Tehran to release two other U.S. citizens and help find one that went missing on Iranian soil. 

 
Charges in Iran Against U.S. Citizen Jason Rezaian
 
            The United States is deeply disappointed and concerned by reports that the Iranian judiciary has charged Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian with unspecified charges, and that the judge denied his request to be released on bail.  We are also distressed by reports that Jason was not allowed access to an attorney, which is a clear violation of Iran’s own laws and international norms.  I am personally dismayed and disturbed at these reports as I have repeatedly raised Jason's case, and the other cases of detained or missing U.S. citizens, directly with Iranian officials.

            We share the concerns of Mr. Rezaian’s family regarding reports that he is under physical and psychological distress, and is not receiving proper medical care.  The Iranian government continues to deny our repeated requests for Consular Access to Jason by our Protecting Power, the Swiss, so we are unable to check on his condition or ensure adequate legal representation. 

            Jason poses no threat to the Iranian government or to Iran’s national security.  We call on the Iranian government to drop any and all charges against Jason and release him immediately so that he can be reunited with his family. 

            Likewise, we again call for the release of U.S. citizens Amir Hekmati and Saeed Abedini, and ask for the Iranian government's cooperation in locating Robert Levinson, so that all may be returned to their families.