An actress who starred in an Oscar-winning film has been arrested by Iranian authorities for “spreading falsehoods”.
Taraneh Alidoosti was taken into custody a week after she shared a post on Instagram in which she slammed the execution of Mohsen Shekari involved with recent protests.
She is best known for her role in The Salesman.
Earlier this month Iran announced it had hanged Shekari who had been convicted with blocking a street in Tehran and attacking a member of the nation's security forces with a machete.
In her post, 38-year-old Tareneh said: "His name was Mohsen Shekari. Every international organisation who is watching this bloodshed and not taking action, is a disgrace to humanity."
Her account, which has made at least three anti-government posts in recent months, has been suspended.
There have been widespread anti-government protests in Iran following the death of 22-year-old woman Mahsa Amini after she was detained for allegedly failing to follow the country's dress code back in September.
Iran is experiencing nationwide backlash after Amini was said to be detained by police for breaking the strict rules around head coverings.
Today’s announcement is the latest in a series of celebrity arrests which also included footballers and other actors in response to their open display of support for anti-government demonstrations now in their third month.
At least 475 people have been killed in the demonstrations amid a heavy-handed security crackdown, according to Human Rights Activists in Iran.
According to today’s report published on the state media's official Telegram channel, Alidoosti was arrested because she did not provide "any documents in line with her claims."
A second prisoner, Majidreza Rahnavard, was publicly hanged on Monday, a month after he was accused of stabbing two security force members to death and injuring four others in the city of Mashhad.
Mizan Online, a regime-affiliated news website, broke the news and said he was convicted of “waging war against God”.
Horrifically, his body was left hanging from a construction crane as a warning to others.
Another said to be facing execution is Iranian footballer Amir Nasr-Azadani after he campaigned for women's rights in his homeland.
Footballers' union FIFPRO, a worldwide organisation representing 65,000 professionals over the globe from 66 different nations, released a statement expressing shock at the announcement.
It read: “FIFPRO is shocked and sickened by reports that professional footballer Amir Nasr-Azadani faces execution in Iran after campaigning for women’s rights and basic freedom in his country.
"We stand in solidarity with Amir and call for the immediate removal of his punishment."
