Press release May 31, 2015
U.S. Should Insist on Iran’s Immediate Release of Rezaian
The United States should make Jason Rezaian's release a top priority in its dealings with Iran, says Freedom House President Mark P. Lagon.
Washington
In response to Iran’s secret proceedings against Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian on fabricated charges of espionage, Freedom House released the following statement:
“The United States should make the release of Rezaian the top priority in its contacts with Iran in every forum, and a condition for progress in all other matters,” said Mark P. Lagon, president of Freedom House. “It’s impossible to know whether or how Iranian officials want to use the charges against Rezaian as a bargaining chip in the on-going negotiations about the country’s nuclear program, but the United States can make any such tactics irrelevant. The United States should insist that Rezaian and his wife, Yeganeh Salehi, be allowed to leave Iran immediately.”
Iran is rated Not Free in Freedom in the World 2015, Not Free in Freedom of the Press 2015, and Not Free in Freedom on the Net 2014.