Iran has finally released a filmmaker after holding him in jail for more than six months.
This is a grave injustice for that filmmaker, but it is important to note that many others have not been so lucky with their fate. Fox News reports that a pro-government newspaper in Iran released details about the release of the prisoner on Monday.
Mohammad Rasoulof is the filmmaker's name, and his film "There is No Evil," won one of the top prizes at the Berlin International Film Festival. However, he found himself one of the significant figures in the country that Iran's government arrested because he criticized Iran's authorities.
Fox News reports that he was arrested for criticizing the government's official policies of cracking down on protestors in the southwestern city of Abadan after a deadly building collapse in the area. Two months after that, nationwide protests broke out over the treatment of a 22-year-old woman who allegedly violated the morality codes in Iran. That woman died in police custody in Iran.
The Shargh newspaper is the media source that reported on the release of the filmmaker. The newspaper stated that he had been released from prison but did not provide specific dates for when he was released or under what conditions.
Earlier this month, Iran released famed director Jafar Panahi, who was arrested in July. Authorities also released Iranian actress Taraneh Alidoosti. They are at least trying to improve their public relations related to releasing some of these individuals.
They want to appease at least some segments of the public over their handling of these protestors. It will not be easy to calm the public's anxiety about what the government has been doing related to the crackdown on all of these protestors as of late. It is certainly causing a great deal of anxiety among the public.
Fox News reports that at least 529 protestors have been killed in the government crackdowns, and another 20,000 have been arrested since the protests began. Therefore, it is fair to say that there is a lot of concern and anger in the country related to how the government has responded to the protests that have taken place throughout the country. The concern will continue to grow if no policy changes are coming up.
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