Tehran, Iran – Iranian authorities have arrested Mehdi Mahmoudian, an Oscar-nominated screenwriter, following his decision to sign a public letter critical of the country’s leadership and its crackdown on protesters, international media reports have said. The arrest has sparked renewed concern over restrictions on freedom of expression and the risks faced by artists and intellectuals in Iran.
Mahmoudian, who co-wrote the widely acclaimed film It Was Just an Accident — nominated for major categories including Best Screenplay and Best International Feature Film at the upcoming Academy Awards — was detained in Tehran on January 31, only days after adding his name to a statement condemning the government’s actions against dissent.
Arrest Linked to Anti-Regime Letter
Reports indicate that Mahmoudian was arrested alongside other activists and writers who signed the same letter. The statement accused Iran’s leadership of carrying out a “systematic crackdown” on protesters and blamed the authorities for what it described as widespread violence against citizens demanding political and social change.
The letter reportedly criticised Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, holding the regime responsible for the harsh suppression of protests that have rocked the country in recent months. Human rights organisations have repeatedly raised alarms over mass arrests, restrictions, and alleged abuses during the government response.
Filmmaker Condemns Detention
Mahmoudian’s arrest has drawn sharp condemnation from prominent Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, who also signed the letter but is currently outside the country. Panahi described Mahmoudian as a rare moral voice and strongly criticised the detention, calling it another example of the state’s intolerance toward peaceful dissent.
The two are known to have met years earlier while imprisoned, and their shared experiences reportedly influenced the screenplay of the nominated film, which explores themes of justice, repression, and resilience.
Growing Pressure on Artists and Intellectuals
Observers say Mahmoudian’s case highlights the broader pressures faced by Iran’s creative community, where public criticism of the government can lead to arrest, intimidation, and prosecution. The incident has attracted international attention, particularly as the global film industry prepares for the Oscars — an event now carrying added symbolic weight for Iranian voices seeking freedom of expression.
The detention of a high-profile, internationally recognised screenwriter has reignited debate over Iran’s treatment of dissidents and the shrinking space for artistic and political speech inside the country.
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