Channels

Iranian filmmaker imprisoned for a year over his work

DUBAI -- Iranian filmmaker Keywan Karimi has begun serving a year-long prison sentence handed down over footage authorities deemed insulting, his production company confirmed on Thursday.

 

The charges against the 30-year-old stemmed from a film he directed called "Writing on the City" that focuses on political graffiti in Iran from the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution to the contested 2009 election. He was initially sentenced to six years behind bars after being found guilty of "insulting sanctities" in October 2015.

 

In February, an appeals court reduced the sentence to one year but kept the requirement that Karimi endure 223 lashes as stipulated in his original sentence.

 

Speaking to The Associated Press earlier this week, Karimi said he hopes to use the time behind bars to complete the script for his next film.

 

"Be sure, I'm strong. Inside, and mentally, I'm ready," he said.

 


פרסום ראשון: 11.24.16, 14:24