“His sentencing is another sham step in a sham process,” says Foreign Affairs Chair

Today, U.S. Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, slammed Iran’s conviction of American Jason Rezaian, a Washington Post reporter who has been jailed for more than 14 months:

“Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif — Secretary Kerry’s nuclear negotiating partner  — earlier this year claimed that ‘we do not jail people for their opinions.’   He’s a boldfaced liar.   At every step, there has been absolutely no transparency in Jason’s so-called trial. His sentencing is another sham step in a sham process.  The only certain thing over the past 14 months of Jason’s imprisonment has been the regime’s contempt for human rights and the United States. Both in its nuclear negotiations and its consideration of Americans detained in Iran, the Administration has shown a dangerous naivety regarding who it is dealing with. The Administration didn’t get Jason released when it had the leverage of the nuclear agreement.  It must redouble efforts to get Jason and the other imprisoned Americans home now.” 

Note: In June, Chairman Royce convened a hearing at which family members of four Americans either detained or missing in Iran testified. For more information about the hearing, click here.

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