Detained Washington Post journalist allowed legal counsel by Iranian captors
The Iranian government has finally permitted jailed Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian to hire a lawyer to defend him against still-undisclosed charges. However, Rezaian's family tells CBS News that their preferred attorney has been blocked from the case.
The Iranian Revolutionary Court has refused to allow attorney Masoud Shafii to represent Rezaian. Shafii, who has experience dealing with U.S. related legal problems, represented the three American hikers who were captured and imprisoned in 2009. According to Rezaian's family, Shafii has worked for more than a month to convince the judiciary to allow him to serve.
However, hardline judge Abolghassem Salavati told the family to present an "acceptable" attorney by March 2nd. Salavati is known for delivering harsh sentences and has been sanctioned by the European Union.
Rezaian, the newspaper's bureau chief in Tehran since 2012, was charged in December. The charges were the first against him since the arrest, according to the Post. He is an Iranian-American who holds dual citizenship.
Rezaian, his wife, Yeganeh Salehi, and two photojournalists initially were detained July 22 in Iran's capital, Tehran. All later were released except Rezaian.
The U.S. State Department repeatedly has raised the subject of Rezaian and other Americans jailed in Iran during talks with the government about a deal to curb Iran's nuclear capacity and ease international sanctions.
In a statement tonight, the Rezaian family announced that attorney Leila Ahsan will represent Jason as well as his wife Yeganeh. No trial date has yet been scheduled. The judge has stated that Ahsan will be able to meet with Jason and the family says that "time will tell" if she is allowed access.
Rezaian, a dual Iranian-American citizen, has been held for seven months in Evin prison after being accused of a crime described only as outside the scope of journalism.
Secretary of State John Kerry said that he constantly raises the question of Rezaian's fate directly with Iranian diplomats when he meets with them as part of the ongoing nuclear negotiations. Kerry meets with his Iranian counterpart Javad Zarif this week in Switzerland.
Rezaian is one of a handful of Americans being held in an Iranian prison.
