Cannes Film Festival condemns arrest of Iranian actress amid protests

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) – The international film festival Cannes on Monday condemned the arrest of Iranian actress Taraneh Alidoosti after a social media post criticizing the government, calling for her "immediate release."

"The Iranian actress #Taraneh Alidoosti was arrested Saturday 17 December as a result of her support for the movement for freedom in her country," the Cannes Film Festival said on Twitter.

The organization extended its "full support" to Alidoosti, who was at Cannes 2022 for her role in Saeed Roustayi's Leila's Brothers, in solidarity with the "peaceful struggle she is carrying out for freedom and women's rights."

"The @Festival_Cannes strongly condemns this arrest and demands her immediate release," it said.

On Saturday, Alidoosti, a prominent Iranian film actress and feminist, was arrested over her support to months-long protests in the country.

The award-winning actress, who has been fiercely outspoken in her criticism of the government, earlier objected to the execution of Mohsen Shikari, who became the first person to be executed in relation to the sweeping protests.