american jason rezaian went on trial after ten months in iran's infamous prison. his wife and mother shut out of the courtroom. >> they were not able to go into the trial. they sat there and basically waited all day. >> reporter: iran says "the washington post" reporter is a spy who passed information to quote, hostile governments. the judge hearing the case so notorious for his harsh sentences, including the death penalty, he is sanctioned by the european union. today the u.s. called the entire case a sham. >> while we call for his trial to be open we also maintain that he should never have been detained or put on trial in the first place. >> reporter: rezaian, a dual u.s.-iranian national focused his reporting on the culture and daily life of the iranian people. he spoke with cnn's anthony bourdain last year shortly before his arrest. >> you happy here? >> look i -- i'm at a point now after five years where i miss