November 14-2014
US media this week quoted the head of Iran’s human rights office, Mohammad-Javad Larijani, as saying he expected Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian to be freed within a month. However, Larijani said no such thing.
A transcript of the interview shows Larijani only said that he expected the preliminary court proceedings against Rezaian to be wrapped up within a month—perhaps with his release, perhaps with his being ordered to trial.
Larijani was interviewed last week by euronews. Here is the relevant part of the transcript.
euronews: “How likely is it do you think that we will see him released soon?”
Larijani: “This is what I expect.”
euronews: “In how many days?”
Larijani: “Well, I don’t know, but I expect that his case will come to a rather final stage. Either he will be totally discharged or it will go the court and the court will make a final decision.”
euronews: “Forgive me if I could just push you on this.”
Larijani: “No, please.”
euronews: “Your brother is the head of Judiciary. He has the power to recommend that someone be pardoned to the Supreme Leader. How likely is it do you think that he will be released in the coming days?”
Larijani: “Well, the pardon doesn’t go in that way. It has by itself rules and procedure. Then, first, there should be the court proceedings. Maybe the court pardons him itself and totally drop all the charges, then everything is finished. If not, he has been indicted then the second line, the pardon line, will start. So we should go through this mechanism. It doesn’t go straightforward.”
euronews: “So we think that…within a week or two?”
Larijani: “Well, I anticipate in less than a month.”
euronews: “That the procedure will come to an end?”
Larijani: “Yes, yes.”
Larijani has in the past told Western interviewers that he anticipated an American held prisoner in Iran would be released momentarily. That has just been a courtesy comment, however. Those prisoners were not released soon.
Meanwhile, the Voice of America reported that Rezaian, 38, was in declining health. It quoted unnamed sources as saying Rezaian had several untreated medical issues, including a serious eye infection that doctors ere concerned could lead to blindness.
But it is the norm in Iran for friends of prisoners to say they need to be released because of bad health, although many emerge from prison later in fine fettle.