US reporter Jason Rezaian files suit against Iran

Former Iranian hostage and Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian on Monday filed a federal lawsuit against the Iranian government for his 18-month incarceration in Iran that ended in June this year, the Washington Post reported.

Rezaian claimed he was kidnapped by the government in Tehran and endured 18 months of psychological torture in an effort to influence the nuclear negotiations deal by the Iranians.

The lawsuit states that Rezaian was used as a bargaining chip by the Iranian government in order to force a prisoner exchange and “extort” concessions from the US government during the historic talks in regards to lifting sanctions after the nuclear program limitations were agreed upon and set.

“For nearly eighteen months, Iran held and terrorized Jason for the purpose of gaining negotiating leverage and ultimately exchanging him with the United States for something of value to Iran,” the suit stated.

“For 544 days, Jason suffered such physical mistreatment and severe psychological abuse in Evin Prison that he will never be the same,” the suit stated. “He will require specialized medical and other treatment for the rest of his life.”

According to the report, Rezaian; his brother, Ali Rezaian; and their mother, Mary Rezaian, are asking for an unspecified sum for damages under the “terrorism exception” to the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act.