Screenwriter of Oscar-nominated Iranian drama It Was Just an Accident arrested in Tehran

Mehdi Mahmoudian, one of the Oscar-nominated screenwriters of the Iranian drama "It Was Just an Accident," was arrested in Tehran on Saturday. His arrest occurred just weeks before the Academy Awards and has drawn attention due to its timing and context. Representatives for the film confirmed the arrest on Sunday, although specific details regarding the charges against Mahmoudian have not been disclosed. The arrest of Mahmoudian is linked to his involvement in signing a statement that condemned the actions of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and criticized the regime's violent crackdown on demonstrators. Alongside Mahmoudian, two other individuals, Vida Rabbani and Abdullah Momeni, were also taken into custody for their participation in the statement. This collective action reflects a broader dissent against the Iranian government's policies and treatment of protestors. "It Was Just an Accident," co-written by Mahmoudian and director Jafar Panahi, has received international recognition, including an Oscar nomination. The film's critical acclaim highlights the ongoing challenges faced by artists and filmmakers in Iran, particularly those who express dissenting views against the government. Mahmoudian's arrest underscores the risks associated with speaking out in a repressive political environment.