PAAIA Concerned About Detention of Jason Rezaian and Others in Iran
July 25, 2014, Washington, D.C. – Jason Rezaian, an Iranian American journalist, is reported to have been detained in Iran along with his wife and two other Iranian American journalists for undetermined reasons this week.
Rezaian is the Washington Post’s correspondent in Iran. He has been based in Iran since 2008 and was accredited by the Iranian government to work for the Washington Post since 2012.
The Washington Post reported Thursday that they had “credible” information that Rezaian and his Iranian wife, Yeganeh Salehi, were detained Tuesday evening in Tehran. Salehi works as a correspondent for the National, a newspaper based in the United Arab Emirates.
“We are deeply troubled by this news and are concerned for the welfare of Jason, Yeganeh and two others said to have been detained with them,” said Douglas Jehl, Foreign Editor of the Washington Post in a statement.
The names of the two other individuals have not been revealed. They were identified by the Washington Post as freelance photojournalists working in Iran.
The State Department confirmed yesterday that U.S. officials are aware of the reports that Rezaian and others have been detained in Iran. “Our highest priority is the safety and welfare of U.S. citizens abroad,” said Marie Harf, U.S. State Department spokeswoman.
On Friday, Iran confirmed that Rezaian has been arrested on unspecified charges.
As an organization that represents the interests of Iranian Americans, PAAIA is seriously concerned about the detention of Rezaian and other Iranian Americans by the authorities in Iran. Iranian Americans Amir Hekmati and Pastor Saeed Abedini continue to be detained in Iran despite calls for their release.
PAAIA supports respect for human rights, the rule of law, and due process for all peoples and in all countries, and is urging the U.S. State Department to fully investigate this matter and to work for the return of all Iranian Americans who are unjustly being detained in Iran.
Click here to view the statement by the Committee to Protect Journalists on the detention of the four journalists.
