Dem senator: State should double efforts to bring journalist home

Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) called on Secretary of State John Kerry to secure the release of journalist Jason Rezaian, who is being held in an Iranian prison.

“I respectfully request that you redouble your efforts to secure Rezaian’s release and prioritize his case in your discussions with Iranian officials,” Casey wrote in a letter to Kerry. “Iran’s treatment of Rezaian is not only an affront to due process, but to journalists around the world working in difficult environments.” 

{mosads}Iranian authorities arrested Rezaian in July. According to Casey’s letter, Iran is not allowing Rezaian to see a lawyer.

“I ask you to unequivocally reject any efforts by the Iranian regime to use him as a pawn in other negotiations and insist that the Iranian regime does not continue to unjustly punish him for his reporting,” Casey wrote.

The administration is in negotiations with Iran over its nuclear weapons ambition. Kerry is trying to get Iran to turn over nuclear material in exchange the administration has lifted some sanctions.