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Iran court begins new hearing for Washington Post reporter charged with espionage

Associated Press
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FILE - In this photo April 11, 2013 file photo, Jason Rezaian, an Iranian-American correspondent for the Washington Post, smiles as he attends a presidential campaign of President Hassan Rouhani in Tehran, Iran. The final hearing of Rezaian detained in Iran more than a year ago and charged with espionage ended on Monday, Aug. 10, 2015 with a verdict expected in the coming days in a trial that has been condemned by the newspaper and press freedom groups. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi, File) (The Associated Press)

Mary Rezaian, mother of detained Washington Post correspondent Jason Rezaian, speaks with media as Jason's wife Yeganeh adjusts her scarf, right, while leaving a Revolutionary Court building in Tehran, Iran, Monday, Aug. 10, 2015. The final hearing of Rezaian detained in Iran more than a year ago and charged with espionage ended on Monday, Aug. 10, 2015 with a verdict expected in the coming days in a trial that has been condemned by the newspaper and press freedom groups. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) (The Associated Press)

Mary Rezaian, mother of detained Washington Post correspondent Jason Rezaian, speaks with media as she leaves a Revolutionary Court building in Tehran, Iran, Monday, Aug. 10, 2015. The final hearing of Rezaian detained in Iran more than a year ago and charged with espionage ended on Monday, Aug. 10, 2015 with a verdict expected in the coming days in a trial that has been condemned by the newspaper and press freedom groups. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi) (The Associated Press)

Iranian state media says another hearing has begun in the trial of Jason Rezaian, a Washington Post reporter detained more than a year ago and charged with espionage in a case condemned by his newspaper and press freedom groups.

The official IRNA news agency says a fourth closed-door hearing began Monday, without providing further details.

Rezaian's lawyer, Leila Ahsan, said Saturday that this hearing would likely be the last, and would be given over to the defense.

It is not clear when the court will issue its verdict. Rezaian faces 10 to 20 years in jail if convicted, but can appeal.

Rezaian, his wife, Yeganeh Salehi, and two photojournalists were detained on July 22, 2014, in Tehran. All were later released except Rezaian, who has Iranian-American nationality.