Alidoosti was arrested after making a string of social media posts supporting the protest movement — including removing her headscarf and condemning the execution of protesters.
Cannes Film Festival has condemned the arrest and demanded the immediate release of Oscar-winning Iranian actress Taraneh Alidoosti.
Alidoosti has been arrested after posting a string of messages on social media supporting the protest movement – including removing her headscarf and condemning the execution of protesters.
In her post, the actress said: “His name was Mohsen Shekari. Every international organisation that is watching this bloodshed and not taking action is a disgrace to humanity.” Her account was suspended on Sunday.
Actors, novelists, directors and other members of the international arts community are also demanding the immediate release of the actress, The Guardian reported.
“The @Festival_Cannes strongly condemns this arrest and demands her immediate release,” it wrote on Twitter, along with the hashtag #FreeTaranehAlidoosti.
“In solidarity with the peaceful struggle she is carrying out for freedom and women’s rights, the @Festival_Cannes extends their full support to her.”
Celebrities including Emma Thompson, Mark Rylance, Mark Ruffalo, Ken Loach, Mike Leigh, Steve McQueen, Ian McKellen, David Hare and Juliet Stevenson signed an open letter calling for her release from Tehran’s notorious Evin prison, The Guardian reported.
“The Iranian authorities have strategically chosen to arrest Taraneh before Christmas to ensure her international peers would be distracted,” they write.
“But we are not distracted. We are outraged. Taraneh Alidoosti, like all citizens of Iran, has a right to freedom of expression, freedom of association, and freedom from arbitrary arrest and detention. We hereby stand in solidarity with her and demand her immediate release and safe return to her family”.
