Tehran: The Islamic Court of Iran has sentenced award winner Mohammad Rasulof to 8 years of imprisonment and fine along with flogging. He was sentenced just before he was due to attend the Cannes Film Festival in France. His lawyer said this yesterday (Thursday) evening.
The 51-year-old director has been sentenced for his last film There-Is-No-Evil. Rasoulof has become another victim of the targeting of actors in the Islamic Republic. Earlier in 2022, Mahsa Amini was released from custody for leading protests for women's rights. Where he was beaten mercilessly and made 'Jannat-Nasheen'.
Iranian officials are not ready to say anything about Rasulof's punishment. But Rasulof and his colleagues have written a letter appealing to the authorities that they should not be harsh towards the artists.
It is noteworthy that in 2022, 29 people died when a building collapsed in Iran's south-western city of Abadan. After this tragedy, suddenly Iranian officials, artists, athletes, popular personalities and many other people were called and asked questions and gathered in the prison.
His lawyer Babak Padania said that Rasulof has been punished merely for signing this statement. He further said that due to some of his tweet statements and some social reform activities, such steps are being taken by the authorities against national security.