Detained Washington Post reporter to face trial in Iran soon

TEHRAN, Jan. 28 (UPI) -- Iran announced Wednesday it will soon convene a trial for detained Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian, although officials have not yet said what charges he will face.

Rezaian, who was indicted earlier this month after unspecified "security charges" were filed against him in December, has been detained by Iran since July.

Senior Iranian judicial official Gholam Hossein Esmaili spoke to reporters Wednesday. The Islamic Republic News Agency quoted Esmaili as saying Rezaian "will be put on trial in Iran soon" and that "the final verdict... would be announced at the end of the legal procedures."

Iran's Revolutionary Court, responsible for security-related court proceedings, is expected to hear his case.

Rezaian's employer has expressed frustration over Iran's detention of its Tehran Bureau Chief.

"We have yet to hear any accounting of any charges against Jason, who after six months in custody has still not been provided access to a lawyer," Martin Baron, the Washington Post's executive editor, said in a statement. "It is appalling and outrageous that Jason remains behind bars. A fair and just approach by Iran's judiciary could only result in his immediate release."