The US judge demanded that the Iranian government pay $ 180 million to journalist Rezaian, who Tehran was jailed for espionage in 2014.

Federal judge Richard Leon of Washington, DC, USA, on November 22, asked Iran to pay damages to Jason Rezaian, a Washington Post correspondent, and his family as a result of their economic and economic losses. mentally ill during the 18 months Rezaian was imprisoned.

Judge Leon believes that the Iranian-American journalist has been mistreated, without medical care and even threatened to be executed in 544 days in prison. The court ruled in favor of Rezaian because Iran refused to take part in this journalist's lawsuit.

However, the US court decision is largely symbolic. Iran has not yet commented on the incident and according to a source from a senior Rezaian at the Washington Post, the Islamic Republic has no intention of compensating for the damage.

Journalist Rezaian was arrested in July 2014 on charges of espionage in Tehran and was freed by Iran on January 16, 2016 in exchange for seven Iranians held in the United States. Rezaian's wife, Yeganah, an Iranian citizen, was also arrested at the same time but was released two months later.

"The Rezaian incident provided evidence that Iran had arrested and imprisoned him to increase the leverage of negotiations in ongoing negotiations with the United States," judge Leon said in a 30-page indictment.

"Holding a man hostage and torturing him to gain an advantage in negotiations with the US is outrageous, deserving of punishment and certainly deterrent," Leon said.

The court has ordered Iran to pay journalist Rezaian $ 23.8 million for mental and economic losses, as well as compensation for his brother Ali 2.7 million and mother Mary 3.1 million for same reason. The court also asked Iran to pay an additional $ 150 million in compensation for the entire family.