Journalist 'spying' trial resumes in Iran

The trial of a Washington Post reporter, Jason Rezaian, resumed behind closed doors in Tehran on Monday, state media has announced.

Rezaian is accused of spying on Iran for the United States, a charge the dual citizenship American-Iranian has always denied.

This is the third session in Rezaian’s trial, 357 days after his detention on spying charges.

It comes as Iran remains locked in nuclear talks with world leaders in Vienna, a story that has been occupying headlines and reporters for several weeks.

As Iranians waited for news of a possible nuclear deal in Vienna, the official IRNA news agency announced the trial had started again.

The report gave no other details of the proceedings. The case has been shrouded in secrecy since Rezaian was detained on 22 July last year after first facing the spying accusations in May. 

Rezaian’s lawyer, Leila Ahsan, has been barred from discussing details of the case in public but has said there is “no proof” against her client.

He was detained along with his wife and two photojournalists, all of whom were later released.

During the last session on 8 June, the journalist was given his first opportunity to defend himself.

He is accused of collecting confidential information, cooperating with hostile governments and disseminating propaganda against the Iranian regime.

Rezaian's family has said the reporter is being used as a pawn in an internal political power struggle about the ongoing nuclear diplomacy.

He is one of three Americans currently in prison in Iran, an issue that has been raised by American negotiators during the nuclear talks.

Tehran does not recognise dual nationality and says the case is a purely Iranian matter for its judiciary.