Iran’s judiciary has upheld the six‑year prison sentence and travel ban imposed on internationally acclaimed filmmaker Jafar Panahi, rejecting his latest appeal and reaffirming restrictions that have drawn condemnation from global arts and human‑rights organisations.
Panahi, 65, was convicted in 2022 on charges of “propaganda against the state” after publicly criticising government censorship and supporting fellow detained artists. Despite intermittent releases on medical grounds and international pressure for clemency, the Tehran Revolutionary Court confirmed this week that the verdict remains in force.
Judicial officials said the case “was reviewed in accordance with national law,” citing Panahi’s alleged participation in protests and his continued production of films without official permits. His legal team argued that the charges were politically motivated and violated Iran’s constitutional protections for artistic expression.
The ruling effectively bars Panahi from leaving Iran or engaging in public filmmaking activities. His passport remains confiscated, and his works are banned from domestic screening. The Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance reiterated that “unauthorised cinematic activity” constitutes a breach of national regulations.
Panahi is best known for films such as The White Balloon, The Circle, and Taxi Tehran, each acclaimed for their humanistic portrayal of Iranian society. His work has earned major international awards, including the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival and the Camera d’Or at Cannes, making him one of Iran’s most recognised cultural figures abroad.
Human‑rights advocates and film organisations, including Amnesty International and the International Federation of Film Producers, condemned the ruling as part of a broader crackdown on dissenting voices in Iran’s creative community. “This verdict silences one of the country’s most important storytellers,” said a spokesperson for the federation.
Diplomatic sources in Europe confirmed that several governments are monitoring the case and may raise it in upcoming human‑rights dialogues with Tehran.
Panahi’s family has not issued a public statement but previously said he remains committed to filmmaking “as an act of resistance and truth.”
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