Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian has been convicted for charges of which the Court authorities in Iran have refused to provide clarification. During the trial, the authorities prevented him an his lawyer from freely communicating and adequately preparing his defense, which makes this trial unfair. In this article reference is made to The United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers. According to those principles anyone detained by state authorities should have prompt access to a lawyer, no more than 48 hours form the time of detention.