Consumed by anger and “severely depressed” is how Jason Rezaian, the journalist and former Chronicle contributor who has been imprisoned in Iran for more than 400 days, appeared during a visit with his mother and wife Tuesday — a day after reports surfaced that he was convicted in Tehran of unspecified charges.
Rezaian, 39, who was arrested in 2014, told his loved ones that he learned of his conviction while watching TV in Iran’s infamous Evin Prison.
“He’s really not in a great situation, not in a good place. He’s severely depressed. He’s angry that this is happening to him. He knows that he’s innocent,” his brother, Ali Rezaian, 44, of Mill Valley said after speaking by phone to their mother, Mary Rezaian.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
“This is destroying his life,” Ali Rezaian said of his younger sibling.
On Sunday, a spokesman for the Iranian judiciary said that Rezaian had been convicted but did not disclose any details on the verdict. Rezaian, a correspondent for the Washington Post, has been in prison for 448 days — longer than any other Western journalist and longer than the Americans held during the Iranian hostage crisis. His closed-door trial ended two months ago.
Ali Rezaian said his brother heard the verdict announcement like everyone else: while watching TV.
“This entire thing — for a country that claims they want to be part of the community of nations — is absurd,” Ali Rezaian said.
The family is desperate for clarity on the case. The announcement did not specify what Rezaian, who faced four charges including espionage, was convicted of or what his sentence will be. The Washington Post has previously reported he faces a sentence of 10 to 20 years in prison.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
Rezaian’s mother; wife, Yeganeh Salehi; and attorney said they attempted to get clarification on the case but were brushed off and told that a translator was not available and that they would be notified later.
“We have really no insight into what the verdict is related to, but what we do know is his lawyer has seen all the evidence in the trial and there’s no evidence to support these charges,” Ali Rezaian said.
On Monday, Washington Post Executive Editor Martin Baron said the announced guilty verdict “represents an outrageous injustice.”
Josh Earnest, the White House press secretary, said in a briefing Tuesday that there was “not much clarity” on Rezaian’s trial. After mentioning reports of the conviction, Earnest said, “we’ve not heard that through official channels and there obviously has been no formal announcement of such a conviction.”
“It’s not particularly surprising that the situation is unclear because the entire proceedings against him have been opaque, and that has been a principle concern that we’ve articulated with his unjust detention,” Earnest said.
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
Reza Marashi, the research director for the National Iranian American Council, said Rezaian’s predicament is hard to explain.
“How can we explain the inexplicable? There’s no rhyme or reason to what’s happening here. The Iranian government has wrongfully imprisoned an innocent man. Looking ahead, I don’t think the Iranian government even knows what’s going to happen next. They’ve backed themselves into a corner and need a face-saving way out. Jason should be freed immediately,” he said.
Rezaian, who was born in San Francisco and grew up in Marin County, was working under a press pass granted to foreign journalists when he was arrested and accused of espionage on July 22, 2014. He has dual American and Iranian citizenship and had been a correspondent and Tehran bureau chief for the Washington Post since 2012.
Ali Rezaian, who has dedicated his life to his brother’s release since the arrest, says the case is wearing down the entire family. His 73-year-old mother has spent much of this year in Iran working tirelessly for her son’s release.
“I can’t believe it’s gone on for this long,” said Ali Rezaian, adding that their mother has had two birthdays since her son has been in prison. “All these things have passed by, and when you look back on it, it is unbelievable this is going on.”
Advertisement
Article continues below this ad
Hamed Aleaziz is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: haleaziz@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @haleaziz