Monday, December 20, 2010

Panahi Sentenced to Six Years in Prison, Stripped of Rights for 20 Years

The renowned Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi was sentenced to six years in prison and prohibited from writing or directing movies for the next 20 years. Panahi was first arrested in July 2009 for participating in a memorial near the grave of Neda Sultan for those killed in protests of the disputed presidential election.

Panahi was released on bail seven months ago awaiting his court hearing. His lawyer is expected to appeal today’s barbaric sentence.

Panahi is best known for his films The White Balloon and The Circle, which won the Camera d'Or at Cannes and the Golden Lion at Venice, respectively. Among his other famous films is Offside, which tells the story of female soccer fans who disguise their gender to watch a match in Tehran.

9 comments:

reader said...

Too harsh for someone who has not physically hurt anyone or been an active member of an armed opposition group.

Anonymous said...

That is a shame and I admit even I fell for the western version of Neda tragedy for a while, until seeing the whole film frame by frame.

He will crush the sentence by appealing it I hope.

Illuminati

Anonymous said...

At least he has no rape charges fabricated against him like Assange of wikileaks.

He will be preoccupied for a couple of years with these courts, then left to do whatever he does.

Dariush London

Nader Uskowi said...

Darius jan,

Easy for you to say! The man's work, freedom and well being are at stake here, aren't they?

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately No form of Protest or even simple constructive criticism is tolerated these days. You will be labeled as the "anti-supreme-leader" and at best will loose your job or worst end up in jails and courts...Very Sad and Shameful for Iran...

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately No form of Protest or even simple constructive criticism is tolerated these days. You will be labeled as the "anti-supreme-leader" and at best will loose your job or worst end up in jails and courts...Very Sad and Shameful for Iran...

December 21, 2010 7:35 PM
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Kind of reminds one of the Nazi party in the late 30's

Joan

Anonymous said...

The amount of Propaganda against Iran is unfair and yes less informed consumers tend to think a lot about Nazi this and that.

But Fact is The US/UK/Israel are setting the stage for destroying and disintegrating Iran.

That, with the help of very few politicaly perverted Iranians (in the USA)whose objectivity regarding Iran stopped when they lost their "Feodal" rights in Iran 30 years ago

But God was/is and shall be on Irans side, eversince the emergence of Kourosh the Great till now.

All superpowers of History that fought Iran are gone and Iran still stands.

HuhAAAA

Illuminati

Anonymous said...

Nader Jan,

I dont approve, plz dont misunderstand.
I only thought it to be clear, that supporting any dude with problems inside of Iran from the outside, is disasterous for that dude.
Like the Monarchists and the MKO destroying the green movement by supporting and claiming to be a part.
Other words, those claiming support for panahi are actually "ja-namaz ab mikeshan"

Dariush London

Nader Uskowi said...

Darius Jan,
Understood. Thanks as always.