Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof sentenced to eight years in prison and flogging Culture

An Iranian revolutionary court has sentenced Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof (Shiraz, 52) to eight years in prison, flogging and confiscation of his assets for the crime of “collusion with intent to commit crimes against the security of the country” .

The filmmaker’s lawyer said, “The main reason for issuing this sentence is signing statements and making films and documentaries, which, according to the court, are examples of collusion and collusion with the intention of committing crimes against the security of the country.” , Babak Paknia reported this Wednesday. “Now the case has been sent for execution of the sentence,” the lawyer said on social networks.

Rasulof, winner of the Golden Bear the lives of others In 2020, he faced several problems with the country’s authorities and was sentenced to prison on two occasions. He was last arrested in July 2022 for criticizing the repression of protests sparked by a building collapse two years ago that killed dozens of people, and was released eight months later.

Director’s last film, The seed of the sacred fig tree, Will be presented at the Cannes festival starting next week, and everything indicates that he will not be able to participate. Paknia reported last week that Iranian officials were trying to get Rasoulof to withdraw the film from competition and that several actors and crew members were summoned and interrogated.

“It is unclear whether Rasulof, who has been banned from leaving the country since 2017 and faces a new case in a revolutionary court, will be able to travel to Cannes to attend the screening of his film,” Paknia said. Said in X.

Rapper Tomaj Salehi sentenced to death

In recent weeks, Iranian courts have convicted several people critical of the government. Mahmoud Mehrabi was sentenced to death a few days ago for publishing information for the “manufacture of domestic weapons” during protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022 after she was arrested for not wearing a veil properly.

And two weeks ago, a revolutionary court sentenced rapper Tomaj Salehi to death for treason, preaching against the system and inciting riots to support protests that called for the end of the Islamic Republic.