Published February 02,2023
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Acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, who has been jailed for the final six months, mentioned he has begun a starvation strike to protest his continued detention, in response to an announcement printed by his spouse Thursday.
Panahi, whose movies have received prizes in any respect of Europe’s predominant movie festivals, was arrested in July even earlier than the present wave of protests which have shaken the regime began in September.
There have been expectations final month that the judiciary might order his launch, however he stays behind bars in Tehran’s Evin jail.
He began his dry starvation strike, refusing meals and water, from Wednesday, he mentioned within the assertion.
“Today, like many people trapped in Iran, I have no choice but to protest against this inhumane behaviour with my dearest possession — my life,” mentioned Panahi.
“In protest towards the unlawful and inhumane behaviour of the judicial and safety equipment and this hostage-taking, I’ve began a dry starvation strike as of February 1. I’ll refuse to eat and drink any meals and medication till the time of my launch.
“I will remain in this state until perhaps my lifeless body is freed from prison.”
Panahi, 62, was arrested on July 11 and had been resulting from serve a six-year sentence handed down in 2010 after his conviction for “propaganda against the system”.
But on October 15, the Supreme Court quashed the conviction and ordered a retrial, elevating hopes amongst his authorized crew he may very well be launched.
Panahi received a Golden Lion on the Venice Film Festival in 2000 for his movie “The Circle”. In 2015, he received the Golden Bear at Berlin for “Taxi Tehran”, and in 2018, he received the very best screenplay prize at Cannes for “Three Faces”.
Panahi’s July arrest got here after he attended a courtroom listening to for fellow movie director Mohammad Rasoulof, who had been detained just a few days earlier.
Rasoulof was launched from jail on January 7 after being granted a two-week furlough for well being causes and remains to be believed to be exterior of jail.
Cinema figures have been among the many hundreds of individuals arrested by Iran in its crackdown on the protests sparked by the September 16 demise in custody of Mahsa Amini, 22, who had been arrested for allegedly violating its strict gown code for ladies.
Star actor Taraneh Alidoosti, who had printed photos of herself with out carrying the Islamic headband, was amongst these detained though she was launched in early January after being held for nearly three weeks.
Source: www.anews.com.tr
