Updated

An Iranian news agency is quoting the lawyer of a detained Washington Post reporter as saying her client should be freed in the wake of the nuclear deal between the Islamic Republic and world powers.

The report Tuesday by the semi-official Tasnim news agency quoted defense lawyer Leila Ahsan, who represents the Post's Tehran bureau chief, Jason Rezaian. Rezaian has been held for over a year and faces espionage charges in a Revolutionary Court.

Tasnim quoted Ahsan as saying Rezaian's continued detention was "not legal." She also said she expected the court to acquit Rezaian as there was no evidence proving the charges against the Iranian-American journalist.

Ahsan could not be immediately reached for comment by The Associated Press.

U.S. officials, the Post and rights groups have criticized his trial.