WASHINGTON, DC—Representative Eliot L. Engel, the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement regarding the reported conviction of Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian:

"I strongly condemn the conviction of Jason Rezaian, and I call on Iran's leaders to reverse this decision and release him. It's unacceptable that Iran detains American citizens on trumped-up charges. At the same time, this verdict signals that a free press won't be tolerated in Iran, putting another black mark on the regime's abysmal human rights record.

"I'll continue working to secure the release of Americans held in Iran and to hold Iran accountable for its destructive and oppressive behavior."

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