A judicial official told Iran’s state-run Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) that the government will “soon” put Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian on trial for as-yet disclosed charges after more than six months of detention, the Post reported Wednesday.

The IRNA report quoted Gholam Hossein Esmaeili, a senior judicial official, as saying Rezaian “will be tried soon,” but no further timetable was mentioned. Nor have authorities elaborated on a vague statement that Rezaian has been charged with unspecified activities outside the bounds of journalism.

Earlier this month, Rezaian’s case was referred to Iran’s Revolutionary Court, which handles most sensitive issues such as security-related proceedings.

Martin Baron, the executive editor of the Post, issued a statement calling for the release of Rezaian.

“We have yet to hear any accounting of any charges against Jason, who after six months in custody has still not been provided access to a lawyer. It is appalling and outrageous that Jason remains behind bars. A fair and just approach by Iran’s judiciary could only result in his immediate release.”

Two weeks ago, Iran announced that it had indicted Rezaian on unspecified charges. Iran’s handling of the case prompted Rezaian’s brother to charge that the government has “bent or broken their rules, and ignored the constitutional requirements that they have, in how they handle a detainee.”

An editorial in the Post last month asked, “If Iranian officials are unresponsive in the case of Mr. Rezaian, how can they be expected to deliver on commitments they make with respect to the nuclear program?”

[Photo: Vertioless Batenyahu / YouTube ]