Freemuse Defending Artistic Freedom
Award-winning Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof has been sentenced to one year in prison for “spreading propaganda” against the Islamic republic, Center for Human Rights in Iran reported on 24 July.
The sentencing relates to the content of Rasoulof’s films, which allegedly highlighted the “dark picture” of Iranian society and could create despair.
The filmmaker told RFE/RL’s Radio Farda that he has also been banned from leaving the country and faces a ban on “membership of political and social organisations”.
Rasoulof has 20 days to appeal the sentence but, as he told Center for Human Rights in Iran, he feels “pessimistic” about the fairness of the appeal process.
The filmmaker’s lawyer, Nasser Zarafshan said that he will appeal the sentencing because “The law says ‘propaganda against the State’ are actions by an individual against the Islamic Republic but challenging the officials and institutions within the framework of the Islamic Republic is not propaganda against the State. It’s criticism.”
The filmmaker told Center for Human Rights in Iran that the content of his movies, which Iranian authorities consider a threat to the State, is the primary reason for his sentencing.
“When I was questioned by investigators, I was asked about all my films,” Rasoulof said. “Their main argument was that I have blackened [the State] and that my criticisms are unhealthy and there’s no hope in my films”.
He further adds that “Then he [the judge] mentioned that I have been awarded by non-Iranian film festivals and that foreign audiences clapped for me; they are the enemies of the State and therefore I’m an enemy of the State.”
According to Radio Free Europe, Rasoulof and director and screenwriter Jafar Panahi were sentenced to six years in prison in 2010 for a documentary on the 2009 disputed presidential elections and the mass protests that followed the vote.
Center for Human Rights in Iran has translated Panahi’s Instagram post which says that “By throwing him in jail or putting obstacles in front of his efforts to make movies, the State cannot put chains on Mohammad Rasoulof’s thoughts.”
Panahi further adds that “he is the type of filmmaker who will leave prison with new stories to tell”.
To support artistic freedom of expression in Iran and stand by Mohammad Rasoulof and other artists, sign the petition calling for an immediate release of Rasoulof to help him continue his work.
