Iran arrests star actress in Oscar-winning movie

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iranian authorities on Saturday arrested one of the country’s most popular actresses for allegedly spreading false information after several social media posts in support for the ongoing nationwide protests, state media reported.

Taraneh Alidoosti, an Iranian actress, played the starring role in the Oscar-winning movie “The Salesman.” She was arrested after posting content on social media expressing solidarity with the nationwide demonstrations that have rocked the Islamic republic stemming from the death of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman who lost her life in custody of Iran’s morality police. 

Iran’s IRNA news agency reported her arrest and said she “did not provide documentation for some of her claims” following “unsubstantiated comments about recent events.”

According to IRNA, several other celebrities have been summoned by the judiciary for allegedly “posting provocative content” and a number have been arrested. 

The post in question by Alidoosti blasted the international community for failing to act to save the life of Mohsen Shekari, a 23-year-old protestor who was hanged after being convicted of “waging war against God” in Iran, marking the first known execution of a protestor.

Alidoosti also posted a photo of herself without a headscarf and holding a sign that reads “Women, Life Freedom,” in Kurdish – the slogan that has become the leading chant of the movement. 

The nationwide protests gripping Iran have entered their fourth month and have served as the biggest challenge to the Iranian regime since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

At least 496 people, including 68 children, have been killed since protests broke out, according to the latest tally by US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). Thousands of others have been arrested for participating in the protests.