German Culture Minister Wolfram Weimer sharply condemned the arrest of Iranian screenwriter Mehdi Mahmoudian in Tehran. He said on Monday that the imprisonment of writers is part of a system designed to silence critics, and that Mahmoudian must be released because art is not a crime. Reports confirm that Mahmoudian was taken into custody over the weekend, but no concrete allegations have been publicly disclosed.
Weimer highlighted the importance of independent media, especially Deutsche Welle, which continues to report on the situation in Iran despite censorship attempts. DW’s Persian‑language service provides millions of people with access to independent information.
Mahmoudian is a co‑author of the film “It Was Just an Accident”, which won the Palme d’Or at Cannes last year and is currently nominated for an Oscar. The movie tackles state injustice in Iran.