The Cannes Film Festival demanded the immediate release of award-winning actress Taraneh Alidoosti, among the most prominent persons arrested in Iran’s months-long protests. | AFP
In this file photo taken on May 26, 2022, Iranian actress Taraneh Alidoosti speaks during a press conference for the film “Leila’s Brothers” at the 75th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France.
PARIS — The Cannes Film Festival demanded on Monday the immediate release of award-winning actress Taraneh Alidoosti, among the most prominent persons arrested in Iran’s months-long protests. “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,” the festival wrote on Twitter.Alidoosti, 38, was arrested on Saturday, official media said, after making a string of social media posts supporting the protest movement — including removing her headscarf and condemning the execution of protesters.
The unrest was sparked by the September 16 death in custody of Mahsa Amini, 22, whom the morality police accused of violating the Islamic Republic’s strict dress code for women.