US judge awards USD 180M to Post reporter held by Iran

A US federal judge has awarded a Washington Post journalist and his family nearly USD 180 million in their lawsuit against Iran over his 544 days in captivity and torture while being held on internationally criticised espionage charges.

The order in the case filed by Jason Rezaian comes nearly a week after Iranian officials shut down its internet and launched a security crackdown on protesters angered by government-set gasoline prices sharply rising.

As internet access has slowly trickled back on, the US government sanctioned Iran's telecommunications minister in response to the internet shutdown.

US District Judge Richard J Leon in Washington entered the judgment late Friday in Rezaian's case, describing how authorities in Iran denied the journalist sleep, medical care and abused him during his imprisonment.

"Iran seized Jason, threatened to kill Jason, and did so with the goal of compelling the United States to free Iranian prisoners as a condition of Jason's release," Leon said in his ruling.

The judge later added: "Holding a man hostage and torturing him to gain leverage in negotiations with the United States is outrageous, deserving of punishment and surely in need of deterrence."
Martin Baron, the executive editor of the Post, said in a statement that Rezaian's treatment by Iran was "horrifying."
"Our satisfaction comes from seeing them enjoy their freedom and a peaceful life."
A UN office earlier said it feared the unrest may have killed "a significant number of people."
In sanctioning him, the US Treasury noted he once worked for the country's Intelligence Ministry and "has advanced the Iranian regime's policy of repressive internet censorship."
He dismissed the sanctions on Twitter as a "Trump's fairytales."