All were later released except Rezaian, who has Iranian-American nationality.
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Two other Americans, Saeed Abedini and Amir Hekmati, have been held in Iran for several years.
According to his family, Rezaian’s health has been deteriorating.
His lawyer has said she was told that today’s trial hearing – the fourth in the case – would be the last but she could not “be 100 per cent sure”. Rezaian is being tried by a Revolutionary Court, which hears sensitive cases, including those related to national security.
Rezaian’s lawyer, Leila Ahsan, said Saturday that this hearing would likely be the last, and would be given over to the defense.
Ahsan on July 28 said she hoped the accord – in which Iran agreed to curb its nuclear programme in return for the lifting of crippling sanctions imposed by the West – would hasten her client’s release.
Rezaian’s mother, Mary, sitting outside the courtroom with his wife, Yeganeh Salehi, told the Associated Press that she also expects Monday’s session will be the last.
Rezaian’s trial, on charges of “espionage, collaboration with hostile governments, gathering classified information and disseminating propaganda against the Islamic republic”, started in May.
Rezaian, a 39-year-old correspondent with dual Iran-US citizenships, along with his wife Yeganeh Salehi were arrested in Tehran on July 22, 2014.
“Iran has behaved unconscionably throughout this travesty of a case”, he said.
Secretary of State John Kerry has said Rezaian poses no threat to Iran and that the U.S.is disappointed in the case.
He faces a possible prison term of from 10 to 20 years.
Baron urged the court to acquit and release Rezaian, saying Iran had a chance to bring the case to a “humane resolution”. Salehi, a journalist for The Nationwide newspaper within the United Arab Emirates capital of Abu Dhabi, reportedly has been banned from leaving Iran.
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In addition to The Washington Post and U.S. officials, the calls for Rezaian’s release have come from press freedom groups and individuals across the world.
