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              Iran Extends Detention of Washington Post Journalist

   by VOA News

   The family of Washington Post Tehran correspondent Jason Rezaian says
   Iran has extended his detention by at least two months.

   Rezaian is being held in Iran's Evin Prison. Thursday is his 135th day
   in custody since being arrested without explanation in late July. No
   charges against him have ever been filed and he has not been able to
   meet with his lawyer.

   His brother, Ali, said Wednesday that a new document dated November 18
   orders at least two months to be added to his detention.

   Ali Rezaian also said his family is concerned about the journalist's
   health, which has been deteriorating since October.

   Post Executive Editor Martin Baron said there is still no clear idea of
   why Rezaian is being held, and that "he never should have been arrested
   and imprisoned in the first place."

   He urged Iranian authorities to release Rezaian.

   The head of the Middle East and North Africa division for Human Rights
   Watch, Sarah Leah Winston, also called Wednesday for the journalist to
   be released.  She said if there was evidence Rezaian committed a crime,
   "they should have charged him shortly after his arrest."

   Rezaian's wife, Yeganeh Salehi, is a correspondent for the Abu
   Dhabi-based newspaper The National and was also taken into custody on
   July 22.  She was freed on bail in early October.  Iran did not
   publicly explain the circumstances of her detention or release.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/iran-extends-detention-of-washington-
   post-journalist/2545389.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/iran-extends-detention-of-washington-post-journalist/2545389.html