The Iranian judge presiding over the trial of a Washington Post reporter is closing the preceding to everyone except the defendant and the lawyers.  That means the domestic and foreign media – and even the defendant’s family – won’t be able to monitor what’s happening.

39-year old Jason Rezaian has been jailed in Iran for 10 months awaiting trial on espionage charges.  He’s expected in court on Tuesday before Judge Abolghassem Salavati – known as “the judge of death” for unusually tough sentences, apparently even for Iran.  His reputation led the European Union to place him on a blacklist in 2011 for human rights abuses.

“Why is it that the trial is not public?” asked Rezaian’s brother Ali.   “I don’t know the right word to say.  Unconscionable.”

Iranian police raided Jason Rezaian’s home last July, arresting him and his wife Yeganeh Salehi.  She was released on bail and warned not to discuss the case.  Charges weren’t even disclosed until last month.  But during that time, Rezaian remained in Evin Prison undergoing interrogation, being denied medical care, and losing around 20 kilograms.  His employer, The Washington Post newspaper in America’s capital, doesn’t even know why Rezaian is charged with espionage.

“No evidence has ever been produced by prosecutors or the court to support these absurd charges,” said executive editor Martin Baron.  “The trial date was only disclosed to Jason’s lawyer last week.  And now, unsurprisingly but unforgivably, it turns out the trial will be closed.”