Screenwriter of Oscar-nominated Iranian film detained in Tehran

One of the writers nominated for an Oscar for the Iranian film “It Was Just an Accident” has been detained in Tehran just before the Academy Awards. The scriptwriter, Mehdi Mahmoudian, was arrested without details on the charges. His arrest coincided with him and 16 others signing a statement criticizing the Iranian leader and the violent suppression of protestors. Fellow filmmakers condemned his arrest, emphasizing Mahmoudian's role as a moral presence. The film, up for the Best Screenplay and Best International Film categories at the Oscars, was made clandestinely in Iran. Director Jafar Panahi, also involved in the statement and facing his own legal troubles, expressed solidarity with Mahmoudian. Panahi has faced imprisonment, house arrest, and travel bans but continues to express his support for human rights in Iran despite the risks. The film “It Was Just an Accident” was inspired by the director's personal experiences and was hailed as the Palme d’Or winner at the Cannes Film Festival. Panahi has faced his own legal challenges in Iran but remains committed to returning despite the risks. Reports from inside Iran suggest a high toll in recent government crackdowns, but independent assessments are difficult due to restricted internet access. Panahi has been vocal about the ongoing violence in Iran and condemns it as a state crime against humanity.