Prominent Iranian film director released on bail after going on a hunger strike

The acclaimed Iranian film director Jafar Panahi was granted bail on Friday, after going on a hunger strike to protest his detention since July 2022.

Panahi was sentenced to serve six years in prison on charges of anti-government propaganda dating back to 2011.

He is one of several Iranian celebrities, artists, and sports figures who have been arrested for speaking out against the theocracy.

Panahi has continued to make award-winning films despite a ban on traveling and filmmaking.

His latest film, “No Bears,” received widespread praise and was named one of the top 10 films of the year.

Panahi’s lawyer confirmed his release on bail and return home, stating that he was in good health after two days of hunger striking.

The semiofficial ISNA news agency reported that several artists welcomed him upon his release from Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison.

The nationwide protests in September 2022, over the death of a young woman in police custody, led to an increase in arrests of individuals who spoke out against the government.