Oscar-nominated co-writer of ’It Was Just an Accident’ released from Iranian prison

Mehdi Mahmoudian, an Oscar-nominated co-writer known for the film 'It Was Just an Accident,' has been released from an Iranian prison after facing imprisonment for his activism. Mahmoudian was detained in Tehran shortly after he signed a public statement denouncing the actions of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, particularly criticizing the regime's violent suppression of protests. His arrest sparked widespread concern among human rights advocates and the international community, who viewed it as part of a broader crackdown on dissent within Iran. Mahmoudian's release comes amid heightened tensions in the country, as citizens continue to face repression for expressing their views against the government. His case highlights the ongoing struggle for freedom of expression in Iran and the risks faced by artists and intellectuals who dare to speak out against the ruling authorities.