Dubai: An Iranian court on Monday resumed the trial of jailed Washington Post correspondent Jason Rezaian on espionage charges, Iran`s semi-official Fars news agency reported.
The first hearing of Iranian-US citizen Rezaian had been held behind closed doors on May 26 at Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran. Rezaian has been in Tehran`s Evin prison since his arrest in July, 2014.
"The second hearing of Rezaian for spying has started at Branch 15," Fars reported, without elaborating.
Rezaian`s lawyer, Leila Ahsan, told Iran`s Tasnim news agency after the second hearing: "He has been charged with espionage for collecting confidential information...and handing it to hostile governments, writing a letter to (US President Barack) Obama and acting against national security".
Rezaian`s wife Yeganeh Salehi and a woman photojournalist who were detained with him but were later released also went on trial last month, Iranian media reported.
Obama, relatives and rights groups have called for Rezaian`s release and for more information about the charges. Washington has rejected the "absurd" espionage charges against Rezaian.
Rezaian`s brother Ali told Reuters Television last month that his brother, the Post`s Tehran bureau chief, had lost 40 pounds (18 kg) in prison.
Tehran and six world powers, including the United States, are trying to meet a June 30 deadline for a final nuclear deal to end a decade-old standoff with the West.
