There has been one key development, however, in the form of the release of the husband of the photographer imprisoned alongside Rezaian and his wife. 

The released individual did not immediately speak to the press – a fact that may be his own decision or may be a condition of his release. When six young people were arrested in May for dancing in a YouTube video, they were released among public outcry, but were reportedly barred from speaking in public about the case or about their treatment.

A source close to the individual who was released says that he was not tortured, but the lack of information about the three journalists suggests that they are being held for interrogation in order to build a case against them. 

In a videotaped message, his mother pleaded for his release and explained that he requires medication for high blood pressure – medication that has presumably not been provided amidst his isolation in prison. Similarly, medical treatment has reportedly been denied to Saba Azarpeik, another journalist recently imprisoned by the regime, who is said to be suffering from an injured back and dangerous weight loss.

Azarpeik has been held without contact from family or legal representation since late May. IranWire on Wednesday quoted multiple Iranian lawyers and activists to explain that Azarpeik’s detention and mistreatment violate both Iranian and international laws. But those laws evidently do not count for much where regime interests are concerned. “These rules and regulations are regularly flouted in cases pertaining to prisoners of conscience or political prisoners,” IranWire says.