Iran extends detention of Washington Post scribe

Madrid, Dec 4 (IANS/EFE) The Iranian government has decided to extend for another two months the detention of a journalist from the Washington Post newspaper, Jason Razaian, the US newspaper reported Thursday, citing family sources.

A senior Iranian official recently said in an interview that the case of Rezaian, who spent 134 days in prison, could be judicially reviewed and eventually the charges would be dropped.

However, the reporter's family had access to a document signed last week by the competent judicial authority in Iran extending the period of detention of the journalist.

The document was issued Nov 18 and indicates that the investigation was going on, without giving details of the case, the newspaper said.

The only person who has met with the reporter so far is his wife, Yeganeh Salehi, who has been allowed to visit him once or twice a week.

Salehi, who is also a journalist, was arrested with him July 22, the day after her press credentials were renewed by Iran's ministry of culture and Islamic guidance.

She was released in early October.

Rezaian is a dual American and Iranian national, but Iran does not recognise dual citizenship.

Rezaian's relatives claim that they have never had a clear view of the charges for which Jason is being held, according to the Post.

His brother Ali Rezaian said: "There have not been any charges against him, and there is no reason to think he is guilty of anything."

Ali Rezaian said the family had become increasingly worried about his brother's health, including persistent infections in his eye and groin, and difficulty in walking.

"His depression is getting much worse," Ali Rezaian said, "just because it's been so long. This is really unprecedented what they're doing."

--IANS/EFE

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