Mom of Washington Post Reporter Jailed in Iran, 'We Always Have Hope'
— -- With reports that nuclear negotiations in Vienna are approaching their final hours, the family of jailed Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian stood outside Iran's Revolutionary Court Monday holding onto hope.
"Jason has done nothing wrong," Jason Rezaian's mother, Mary Rezaian, told ABC News. "This type of detention is hurting him, it’s hurting his family, we want him on bail released with his family."
According to his lawyer, Rezaian, 39, has been held for the past 355 days and faces charges of espionage and spreading propaganda against the Iranian government.
He has denied the accusations, and American officials, along with the Washington Post and activist groups, have slammed what they have described as Rezaian's unlawful detention.
A third hearing in his trial was held Monday, though his mother said the family was unable to go into the court and speak with him.
Meanwhile, another deadline is approaching Monday night for world powers looking to negotiate a historic deal to curb Iran's nuclear program in exchange for a rollback in sanctions.
“I wish Jason was out so he could cover this wonderful story of Iran and the U.S.,” Mary Rezaian said.
Rezaian's Iranian wife, Yeganeh Salehi, who is forbidden to speak to the media, stood alongside Rezaian's mother, crying.
Mary Rezaian told ABC News that in three days the new Iranian calendar year is set to begin, and under a new law Jason should be able to be released on bail.
"I’m reminding them that if they continue to hold Jason for another three days without putting him on bail, they are breaking their own law," Mary Rezaian said. "This law applies to everyone except murderers."
Mary Rezaian has been allowed to visit her son over the past year of his detention. He is reported to have spent time in solitary confinement.
"We always have to hope," Mary Rezaian said.
