National Press Club Statement on Jason Rezaian Case

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May 19, 2015, 10:48 ET

WASHINGTON, May 19, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a statement from John Hughes, President of the National Press Club, on the announcement by Iran of a trial for Jason Rezaian of the Washington Post.

"We continue to call for the unconditional release of Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian who has been held in prison in Iran for more than 300 days.

"While Iran at last is moving forward with a trial, we are concerned this event will be closed to the press. The trial must be open. Journalists who wish to attend should be granted visas to do so. If this is a fair proceeding, why would Iran block the rest of the world from witnessing it?"

Editors Note: Jason Rezaian will be honored as a recipient of the John Aubuchon Award for Press Freedom at the National Press Club awards dinner on July 29, 2015. The National Press Club, founded in 1908, is the world's leading professional organization for journalists.

Contact: John Donnelly, 202-746-6020 or [email protected] for the National Press Club

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SOURCE National Press Club