Iran charges Washington Post journalist with espionage, other crimes

A lawyer says Jason Rezaian, a Washington Post reporter jailed in Iran, faces four charges, including espionage.

Lawyer Leilah Ahsan, who represents Rezaian, told the Post on Monday that in addition to the espionage charge, he faces charges of "conducting propaganda against the establishment," "collaborating with hostile governments" and "collecting information about internal and foreign policy and providing them to individuals with malicious intent."

He has been the Post's correspondent in Tehran since 2012 and has been held by Iranian authorities since July 22, 2014. He was born and spent most of his life in the United States and holds Iranian and American citizenship. Iran doesn't recognize dual nationalities for its citizens

Rezaian's family, the Post and the U.S. State Department have repeatedly called for the his immediate release. "These charges he has been charged with are just absurd," said Marie Harf, a spokeswoman for the U.S. State Department.

Al Jazeera and wire services