Overview
- Mahmoudian was taken into custody in Tehran over the weekend, and the Iranian outlet Emtedad reported he has since contacted his family.
- His lawyer has not been informed of any formal accusations, leaving the legal basis for the detention unclear.
- Days before the arrest, he signed a statement that condemned Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the violent repression of recent protests.
- Two fellow signatories, Vida Rabbani and Abdullah Momeni, were also detained following the declaration.
- Germany’s culture minister Wolfram Weimer denounced the arrest and urged Mahmoudian’s release, as director Jafar Panahi and others highlighted the film’s Cannes win and dual Oscar nominations for France.