Iranian Writers' Association Calls for Immediate Cancellation of Mohammad Rasoulof's Prison Sentence

The Iranian Writers' Association has issued a statement demanding the "immediate and unconditional" cancellation of the sentence against Mohammad Rasoulof, a well-known Iranian filmmaker. In the statement dated Saturday, May 21, it emphasized that Mr. Rasoulof has committed no crime warranting punishment of "imprisonment, flogging, and confiscation of property." Babak Paknia, Mr. Rasoulof's lawyer, announced on Wednesday, May 19, that the Islamic Revolutionary Court has sentenced his client to eight years in prison (five years enforceable), flogging, a fine, and confiscation of property, and this ruling has been upheld in the appeals court. The Iranian Writers' Association stated that the trial and punishment of a filmmaker and director who uses "the right to express dissent and artistic creation from his basic human right, freedom of expression" is not justified, nor is it justified for the countless women who seek to have control over their attire and the multitude of workers who seek the right to life and livelihood. This cultural-professional body also asserted that the punishment is not appropriate for millions of young people who wish to have their own lifestyle and for writers and artists who refuse to submit to censorship and oppression, emphasizing that punishment is deserved by those who have been plundering the property, security, and freedom of the people under the guise of governance for over 40 years. According to the Iranian Writers' Association, the issuance of such a ruling is intended to instill fear among artists who "do not bow down by force." This professional body has called for the immediate cancellation of this ruling and also of the rulings issued against critical and opposing artists, protesting citizens, and activists in various fields. The Independent Filmmakers Association also condemned the "eight-year prison and flogging sentence" for Mohammad Rasoulof. Previously, the Independent Filmmakers Association of Iran had strongly condemned the issuance of the "eight-year prison and flogging sentence" for Mohammad Rasoulof, a well-known Iranian filmmaker. Babak Paknia, Mr. Rasoulof's lawyer, stated that the main reason for the issuance of this sentence against his client was the signing of statements and the making of films and documentaries, which the court considers as "collusion and conspiracy to commit a crime against national security." About ten days before the issuance of this sentence, some crew members of the film "The Fig Seed of Temples" directed by Mohammad Rasoulof were summoned, and some of them were interrogated. The film "The Fig Seed of Temples" directed by Mohammad Rasoulof participated in the Cannes Festival without obtaining government permits.