The 8-Year Prison Sentence of Mohammad Rasoulof, Government-Critical Filmmaker, Confirmed by Appeals Court

Babak Paknia, a lawyer, announced the enforcement of an 8-year prison sentence, flogging, monetary fines, and confiscation of property against Mohammad Rasoulof, a well-known director and filmmaker. On Wednesday, May 19, Paknia tweeted on 'X', referring to this ruling and stating that five years of the 8-year sentence are enforceable. He cited the main reason for the ruling against Rasoulof as 'signing statements and making films and documentaries.' He added: 'According to the court, these actions constitute conspiracy with the intent to commit a crime against national security.' According to this lawyer, the ruling against Rasoulof was initially issued by Branch 29 of the Revolutionary Court and was subsequently confirmed by Branch 36 of the Appeals Court, and the case has now been sent for enforcement. About 10 days ago, Paknia also reported that several members of the production team of the film 'The Sacred Fig Seed,' directed by Rasoulof, had been summoned and interrogated, and they were told to ask Rasoulof to withdraw the film from the Cannes Festival. The film 'The Sacred Fig Seed,' Rasoulof's latest work, is set to be screened in the competition section of the Cannes Festival. This government-critical filmmaker, who has won awards at several international film festivals, has consistently faced pressure from the judiciary of the Islamic Republic and has repeatedly encountered prison sentences and travel bans. Rasoulof has previously participated in the Cannes International Festival with films such as 'The Manuscripts Don't Burn,' 'Lerd,' and 'Iron Island.' Following his signing of the statement 'Put Down Your Gun,' he was arrested and banned from traveling in July 2022, thus missing the opportunity to travel to France and judge in the 'Un Certain Regard' section of the Cannes Festival. The International Coalition of Filmmakers at Risk issued a statement in 2023 calling for the lifting of the travel ban on the renowned filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof. Iranian independent films are a bane to the regime; the pressure from the Islamic Republic to remove 'The Sacred Fig Seed' from the Cannes Festival continues; the ongoing censorship and systematic restrictions in Iran; a panel discussion on censorship and the challenges of independent cinema in Iran was held with the participation of Iranian filmmakers at the Cannes Festival. The International Coalition of Filmmakers at Risk called for the cancellation of Rasoulof's travel ban.