Suryaa Now International Desk: Iran's renowned international film director and Oscar-nominated filmmaker Zafar Panahi was given an unexpected shock by the court... Iran's famous international film director and Oscar-nominated filmmaker Zafar Panahi was given an unexpected shock by the court there. The Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced him to five years and one month rigorous imprisonment and issued a sensational verdict to confiscate all his assets. Along with this, it issued an order banning him from foreign travel for two years and banning him from using social media. It is noteworthy that the court announced this judgment in Panahi's absence.
The 26th Bench of the Revolutionary Court handed down the harsh sentence based on a new case filed on charges of campaigning against the Iranian government. The court directed the investigating officers to freeze the accused's bank accounts and seize the movable properties. For Panahi, who was already facing a one-year jail sentence, the latest verdict was a blow that could not be recovered. Panahi's lawyer, Mostafa Neely, confirmed this and clarified that the verdict came to light only after his client's bank accounts were frozen. Zafar Panahi, who has won many prestigious awards at international film festivals, has been constantly protesting against the tyrannical policies of the Iranian government through his films.
He has previously won the Palme d'Or Award at the Cannes Film Festival as well as Academy Awards (Oscar) nominations. However, the world's film sources are criticizing that Iran's judicial system took action against him only a few months after he returned to his own country. The Iranian government's decision has been strongly condemned by the international community and prominent film industry figures. Rights groups accuse the Iranian government of giving such sensational verdicts with the aim of suppressing freedom of expression. Iran, which is already in the news for human rights violations and arrests of political opponents, now it is likely that strong protests will be expressed on international platforms including Europe as strict sanctions are imposed on an international level director.