Iran Jails Cannes Winner Jafar Panahi for 'Propaganda' Amid Ongoing Crackdown on Dissent
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Iranian authorities have sentenced renowned filmmaker Jafar Panahi, winner of this year's Palme d'Or, to one year in prison and a two-year travel ban over alleged 'propaganda activities' against the state. According to his lawyer, Mostafa Nili, the sentence was issued in absentia, as Panahi is currently outside Iran. Panahi, 65, has been a vocal critic of the Iranian government through his films, which often explore themes of social justice and dissent. His latest movie, 'It Was Just an Accident,' is a Cannes Film Festival winner and has been selected as France's official nomination for the Academy Awards. This latest development is part of a broader crackdown on dissent in Iran, where prominent filmmakers, media figures, and celebrities are closely monitored and their work reviewed for content deemed critical of the Islamic republic. Notably, multi-award-winning director Mohammad Rasoulof fled Iran last year to escape a prison sentence on similar charges. Panahi's sentence includes a two-year ban on traveling and participating in any political or social groups. His lawyer has announced plans to appeal the decision. Panahi has a history of defying Iranian authorities, having been banned from filmmaking and traveling in 2010 after supporting anti-government protests and creating films that critiqued the state of modern Iran. The filmmaker's recent work, including the documentary 'This is Not a Film,' has been a testament to his determination to speak out against the government. With this latest sentence, Panahi joins a growing list of Iranian artists who have faced persecution for their creative expression.
