3 months ago
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Iranian dissident filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof has fled Iran, escaping on foot through rugged mountainous borders after receiving an eight year prison sentence for his film about Iran’s recent uprising.
In a statement, the artist said: “I arrived in Europe a few days ago after a long and complicated journey. About a month ago, my lawyers informed me that my eight-year prison sentence was confirmed in the court of appeal and would be implemented on short notice.
“Knowing that the news of my new film would be revealed very soon, I knew that without a doubt, a new sentence would be added to these eight years. I didn’t have much time to make a decision. I had to choose between prison and leaving Iran. With a heavy heart, I chose exile. The Islamic Republic confiscated my passport in September 2017. Therefore, I had to leave Iran secretly.”
The film delves into the protest movements in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022. Amini's death in custody, allegedly for not adhering to hijab, ignited widespread protests across Iran.
Mohammad Mehdi Esmaeili, Iran's Culture Minister, called the film “illegal”. The legal repercussions for Rasoulof, upheld on appeal, include imprisonment, lashes, a fine, and property confiscation.
The crackdown has not only targeted Rasoulof, a long-time dissident hated by the authorities, but also involved the film’s crew, some of whom have faced interrogation and travel bans.
