Oscar-Nominated Screenwriter Mehdi Mahmoudian Released From Iranian Prison After 17 Days
The co-writer of Palme d'Or winner It Was Just an Accident walked free on bail alongside two fellow signatories of a letter condemning Ayatollah Khamenei's crackdown on protesters.
Feb 17, 2026, 11:06 PM
The gates of Nowshahr Prison in northeastern Iran swung open on Tuesday for Mehdi Mahmoudian, the Oscar-nominated co-screenwriter of Jafar Panahi's It Was Just an Accident, ending a 17-day detention that had drawn condemnation from filmmakers, human rights groups, and Western governments alike .
Mahmoudian, 48, was released on bail alongside journalist-activist Vida Rabbani and student leader Abdollah Momeni, according to Iranian media reports confirmed by multiple international outlets . All three had been arrested in late January for signing what has become known as the "Statement of the Seventeen," an open letter that placed direct blame on Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for authorizing the security forces' deadly crackdown on nationwide protests earlier that month .
The January protests, which erupted over economic grievances and escalated into calls for regime change, resulted in what international observers have described as the deadliest period of state repression in modern Iranian history . Thousands were killed in the nationwide uprising last month, according to The Guardian, and the scale of the violence prompted mass international demonstrations, including a large protest held over the weekend in Munich Oscar-Nominated ‘It Was Just an Accident’ Screenwriter Released on Bail From Iran Prisonhollywoodreporter.com·SecondaryMehdi Mahmoudian, the Oscar-nominated co-writer of Jafar Panahi‘s It Was Just an Accident, has been released from prison in Iran, after 17 days inside, according to local media reports. Mahmoudian was released from Nowshahr Prison along with Vida Rabbani and Abdollah Momeni, all arrested for signing the so-called “Statement of the Seventeen” condemning the actions of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei in authorizing the crackdown on anti-government protesters last month, which resulted in the.... US President Donald Trump weighed in on Friday, saying that regime change in Iran "would be the best thing that could happen" Oscar-Nominated ‘It Was Just an Accident’ Screenwriter Released on Bail From Iran Prisonhollywoodreporter.com·SecondaryMehdi Mahmoudian, the Oscar-nominated co-writer of Jafar Panahi‘s It Was Just an Accident, has been released from prison in Iran, after 17 days inside, according to local media reports. Mahmoudian was released from Nowshahr Prison along with Vida Rabbani and Abdollah Momeni, all arrested for signing the so-called “Statement of the Seventeen” condemning the actions of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei in authorizing the crackdown on anti-government protesters last month, which resulted in the....
The "Statement of the Seventeen" was no ordinary petition. Its signatories include Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, Sakharov Prize winner Nasrin Sotoudeh, and filmmakers Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof, whose The Seed of the Sacred Fig was itself an Oscar contender in recent years . The letter called for "the formation of a broad national front to organize a referendum and establish a constituent assembly, enabling all Iranians of all political beliefs to participate in a democratic and transparent process to determine their political future" . Iranian authorities charged the signatories with "insulting the Supreme Leader" and "propaganda against the Islamic Republic" — catchall offenses that carry significant prison terms under the country's penal code .
Panahi, who is currently in the United States on the awards circuit, responded to the release with a statement distributed by Neon, the film's American distributor. "Mehdi Mahmoudian, Vida Rabbani, and Abdollah Momeni peacefully exercised their right to express their views, but the regime responded by accusing them of 'insulting the Supreme Leader' and 'propaganda against the Islamic Republic,'" Panahi said . "For years, such charges have been used as tools to criminalize thought, silence criticism, and instill fear in society. Turning a civil and peaceful act into a national security case is a clear sign of intolerance toward the independent voices of citizens" Oscar-nominated co-writer of It Was Just an Accident released from Iranian prisontheguardian.com·SecondaryMehdi Mahmoudian released 17 days after arrest for signing a statement condemning Iran’s supreme leader and regime’s protest crackdown Mehdi Mahmoudian, the Oscar-nominated cowriter of It Was Just an Accident, has been released from an Iranian prison 17 days after his arrest, according to local media reports. Mahmoudian was arrested in Tehran shortly after signing a statement condemning Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and the regime’s violent crackdown on demonstrators..
The timing of Mahmoudian's arrest and release is inseparable from the film that brought him international recognition. It Was Just an Accident, a revenge drama about former political prisoners who believe they have spotted their torturer on the streets of Tehran, won the Palme d'Or at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and is nominated for two Academy Awards — Best Original Screenplay and Best International Feature Film — at the 98th ceremony scheduled for March 15 in Los Angeles . Mahmoudian shares the screenplay credit with Panahi, Nader Saeivar, and Shadmehr Rastin Oscar-nominated co-writer of It Was Just an Accident released from Iranian prisontheguardian.com·SecondaryMehdi Mahmoudian released 17 days after arrest for signing a statement condemning Iran’s supreme leader and regime’s protest crackdown Mehdi Mahmoudian, the Oscar-nominated cowriter of It Was Just an Accident, has been released from an Iranian prison 17 days after his arrest, according to local media reports. Mahmoudian was arrested in Tehran shortly after signing a statement condemning Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and the regime’s violent crackdown on demonstrators..
The connection between the film and Mahmoudian's activism is not coincidental. Panahi first met Mahmoudian inside an Iranian prison. A writer, political journalist, and human rights defender, Mahmoudian served a five-year sentence ending in 2014 on charges of "mutiny against the regime" — punishment for his role in documenting detainee abuses at the notorious Kahrizak Detention Center, reporting that ultimately contributed to the facility's closure in July 2009 . He has spent nearly a decade of his life behind bars for his journalistic and civic activities . Panahi brought him onto the screenplay to lend authenticity to a story drawn, in part, from the director's own experience of incarceration Oscar-nominated co-writer of It Was Just an Accident released from Iranian prisontheguardian.com·SecondaryMehdi Mahmoudian released 17 days after arrest for signing a statement condemning Iran’s supreme leader and regime’s protest crackdown Mehdi Mahmoudian, the Oscar-nominated cowriter of It Was Just an Accident, has been released from an Iranian prison 17 days after his arrest, according to local media reports. Mahmoudian was arrested in Tehran shortly after signing a statement condemning Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and the regime’s violent crackdown on demonstrators..
Panahi himself has navigated decades of persecution by the Islamic Republic. He spent seven months in Tehran's Evin Prison after being arrested in 2023 when he went to inquire about the whereabouts of fellow filmmakers Rasoulof and Mostafa Al-Ahmad Oscar-Nominated ‘It Was Just An Accident’ Co-Screenwriter Released From Prison In Iran: Reportdeadline.com·SecondaryMehdi Mahmoudian, the Oscar-nominated co-writer of Jafar Panahi‘s Cannes Palme d’Or winner It Was Just an Accident, has been released from Nowshahr Prison in northeastern Iran, according to reports. He had spent 17 days in incarceration for his role in signing an open letter condemning the leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran over the deadly protests in the country.. He was released only after staging a hunger strike. In December 2025, an Iranian court sentenced Panahi in absentia to one year in prison, a two-year travel ban, and a ban on membership in political and social groups for "propaganda activities against the system" Oscar-Nominated ‘It Was Just An Accident’ Co-Screenwriter Released From Prison In Iran: Reportdeadline.com·SecondaryMehdi Mahmoudian, the Oscar-nominated co-writer of Jafar Panahi‘s Cannes Palme d’Or winner It Was Just an Accident, has been released from Nowshahr Prison in northeastern Iran, according to reports. He had spent 17 days in incarceration for his role in signing an open letter condemning the leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran over the deadly protests in the country..
The Iranian government's approach to the case highlights a recurring tension in the Islamic Republic's dealings with its internationally prominent dissidents. Mahmoudian's bail release — rather than continued detention or formal trial — may reflect awareness that holding an Oscar nominee in the run-up to Hollywood's biggest night would intensify international scrutiny at a moment when Tehran is already under pressure over the protest crackdowns and ongoing nuclear negotiations . At the same time, the bail conditions and pending charges mean Mahmoudian's legal jeopardy is far from over; Iranian courts routinely impose severe sentences on political detainees months or years after their initial release Oscar-nominated co-writer of It Was Just an Accident released from Iranian prisontheguardian.com·SecondaryMehdi Mahmoudian released 17 days after arrest for signing a statement condemning Iran’s supreme leader and regime’s protest crackdown Mehdi Mahmoudian, the Oscar-nominated cowriter of It Was Just an Accident, has been released from an Iranian prison 17 days after his arrest, according to local media reports. Mahmoudian was arrested in Tehran shortly after signing a statement condemning Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and the regime’s violent crackdown on demonstrators..
International pressure on Tehran has mounted steadily since the January crackdowns. Free speech organizations including PEN International and Reporters Without Borders have tracked Mahmoudian's case alongside hundreds of other detained journalists, writers, and activists swept up in the post-protest repression . The three released detainees were each required to post bail of 6.5 billion tomans — just over $10,000 — through the Revolutionary Court via their legal counsel, a conditional release that leaves the underlying charges intact Oscar-nominated co-writer of It Was Just an Accident released from Iranian prisontheguardian.com·SecondaryMehdi Mahmoudian released 17 days after arrest for signing a statement condemning Iran’s supreme leader and regime’s protest crackdown Mehdi Mahmoudian, the Oscar-nominated cowriter of It Was Just an Accident, has been released from an Iranian prison 17 days after his arrest, according to local media reports. Mahmoudian was arrested in Tehran shortly after signing a statement condemning Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and the regime’s violent crackdown on demonstrators..
Defenders of the Iranian government's position, including state media outlets, have framed the "Statement of the Seventeen" as incitement rather than legitimate political expression, arguing that its call for a constituent assembly amounts to advocating the overthrow of the constitutional order . The Revolutionary Court's decision to grant bail rather than extend detention has been characterized by some pro-government commentators as evidence of judicial restraint, though human rights monitors note that bail in political cases in Iran frequently comes with onerous conditions including travel bans and reporting requirements Oscar-nominated co-writer of It Was Just an Accident released from Iranian prisontheguardian.com·SecondaryMehdi Mahmoudian released 17 days after arrest for signing a statement condemning Iran’s supreme leader and regime’s protest crackdown Mehdi Mahmoudian, the Oscar-nominated cowriter of It Was Just an Accident, has been released from an Iranian prison 17 days after his arrest, according to local media reports. Mahmoudian was arrested in Tehran shortly after signing a statement condemning Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and the regime’s violent crackdown on demonstrators..
Whether Mahmoudian will be able to attend the Oscar ceremony on March 15 remains uncertain. His bail conditions have not been publicly disclosed in full, and Iranian authorities have a well-documented history of imposing travel restrictions on political detainees even after their release . Panahi himself has been unable to leave Iran for much of his career, and his presence at awards ceremonies has repeatedly depended on the whims of the security apparatus. If the Academy voters reward It Was Just an Accident with either of its nominated prizes, the empty chair — or the triumphant appearance — of its co-writer will carry a weight that extends well beyond the Dolby Theatre .
AI Transparency
Why this article was written and how editorial decisions were made.
Why This Topic
The release of an Oscar-nominated screenwriter from an Iranian prison — 17 days after his arrest for signing a letter condemning the Supreme Leader — is a story that bridges culture and geopolitics at a moment of extraordinary tension. Iran is reeling from the deadliest protest crackdown in its modern history, with death toll estimates ranging from 3,000 to over 36,000. The Statement of the Seventeen represents a rare act of open defiance by prominent cultural and civil society figures. With the 98th Academy Awards less than a month away and Mahmoudian's film nominated in two categories, the story has immediate news value and broader implications for the intersection of artistic expression and political repression.
Source Selection
The cluster draws on three Tier 1 sources — The Guardian (AP wire), The Hollywood Reporter, and Deadline — all reporting independently on Mahmoudian's release. The Guardian provides the broader political context including Trump's regime change remarks and the Munich protests. THR and Deadline offer detailed background on the film, the Statement of the Seventeen, and Mahmoudian's history of imprisonment. Additional context on the January protest death tolls comes from Amnesty International, NPR, and UK Parliament research briefings found during supplementary research.
Editorial Decisions
This story sits at the intersection of international human rights, geopolitics, and awards season — three threads that amplify each other. Mahmoudian's release comes less than a month before the Oscars and amid intense international scrutiny of Iran's protest crackdown. We have balanced the arts angle with substantive reporting on the political context, including the scale of the January massacres and the Statement of the Seventeen. Both pro-government and dissident perspectives are represented. The German version expands on the European angle while maintaining the same factual core.
Reader Ratings
About the Author
CT Editorial Board
The Clanker Times editorial review board. Reviews and approves articles for publication.
Sources
- 1.hollywoodreporter.comSecondary
- 2.theguardian.comSecondary
- 3.deadline.comSecondary
Editorial Reviews
2 approved · 0 rejectedPrevious Draft Feedback (4)
• depth_and_context scored 4/3 minimum: The piece situates Mahmoudian’s arrest within the wider January protests, the Statement of the Seventeen, and Iran’s history of repressing dissidents, giving useful background on his past convictions and the film’s relevance; it could earn a 5 by adding more specifics on legal statutes cited, recent court precedents, and fuller international diplomatic reactions. • narrative_structure scored 4/3 minimum: The article opens with a clear lede and follows a logical arc linking the arrest, release, film ties, and broader implications, with a decent closing about the Oscars; it would benefit from a tighter nut graf early on that succinctly states why the release matters beyond the celebrity angle. • filler_and_redundancy scored 4/3 minimum: The article is generally concise and avoids repetition, though a couple of sentences reiterate the film–activism connection twice; remove one redundant sentence about Panahi’s history or combine short overlapping paragraphs to tighten flow. • language_and_clarity scored 4/3 minimum: Writing is clear, engaging and precise, and labels like 'insulting the Supreme Leader' are attributed and explained; to reach top marks, replace a few passive constructions (e.g., 'have been described') with named sources and specify figures (e.g., which international observers) rather than generic phrasing. • publication_readiness scored 5/4 minimum: The draft reads like a finished news piece with sourcing markers only, no platform-problematic sections or AI self-references; minor edits suggested above would make it fully ready for publication. Warnings: • [evidence_quality] Statistic "6.5 billion" not found in any source material • [article_quality] perspective_diversity scored 3 (borderline): The draft includes voices from dissidents, human rights groups, and state-aligned framings, but relies heavily on secondary paraphrase and lacks direct quotes from Iranian officials or independent legal experts — add an official statement or court spokesperson quote and analysis from a regional legal scholar to strengthen balance. • [article_quality] analytical_value scored 3 (borderline): There is some interpretation about Tehran weighing optics ahead of the Oscars and the risk of future prosecution, but the piece mainly recounts events; it should add concrete forecasting (legal timelines, likely sentences, implications for Iran’s diplomacy or the film industry) to improve analysis. • [image_relevance] Image alt_accuracy scored 3 (borderline): The alt text names Mehdi Mahmoudian and Jafar Panahi — identifications the instructions allow me to accept — and describes them as co‑creators of the film; however the image shows two men posing in front of shelves of cameras and does not make the film credit or their relationship visually explicit, so the description is partly inferential rather than strictly descriptive.
• depth_and_context scored 4/3 minimum: The article gives solid background on Mahmoudian’s history, the Statement of the Seventeen, the protests, and links to Panahi’s career, so readers understand why the release matters; it could be improved with more concrete legal context (specific statutes, typical sentences) and international diplomatic responses beyond a single Trump quote to reach excellence. • narrative_structure scored 4/3 minimum: Lede is clear and newsy, the nut graf appears early and the piece follows a logical arc connecting arrest, release, film context and implications, with a decent closing about Oscar uncertainty; tightening the ending into a sharper takeaway would strengthen closure. • filler_and_redundancy scored 4/3 minimum: Reporting is concise with minimal repetition; a few sentences (e.g., repeated mentions of Panahi’s persecution) verge on reiteration and could be tightened, but overall little padding is present. • language_and_clarity scored 4/3 minimum: Writing is generally clear, engaging and specific; politically loaded labels are mostly avoided or explained, though a couple of sweeping claims (e.g., "deadliest period of state repression in modern Iranian history") should be attributed to a clear source inline rather than broad phrasing to avoid implicit editorializing. Warnings: • [article_quality] perspective_diversity scored 3 (borderline): The article includes reactions from dissidents, human-rights groups and state-aligned framing, but relies heavily on Western and dissident sources — add direct Iranian government statements, quotes from legal experts inside Iran, or commentary from regional diplomats to broaden viewpoints. • [article_quality] analytical_value scored 3 (borderline): There is some interpretation (timing linked to Oscars, bail as signal), but the piece stops short of deeper analysis on likely legal trajectories, domestic political calculations in Tehran, or implications for Iran’s cultural diplomacy; add expert forecasts and scenario analysis to raise analytical value. • [article_quality] publication_readiness scored 4 (borderline): The draft reads like a near-final news story with proper sourcing markers and no obvious placeholder text or meta-content; to be publication-ready, remove the Trump quote’s casual phrasing (might need context/date) and confirm all dates (one instance cites December 2025 sentence) and bail amount conversion for accuracy.
1 gate errors: • [article_quality] publication_readiness scored 3/4 minimum: Generally publication-ready in tone and structure, but the story contains multiple bracketed inline reference markers which are platform-allowed; verify and replace any remaining placeholder markers and add a clear attribution line for quoted statements (e.g., Panahi’s statement source) to remove minor formatting/attribution gaps.
2 gate errors: • [evidence_quality] Quote not found in source material: "several thousand" • [evidence_quality] Quote not found in source material: "an attack on artistic freedom and part of the government's systematic effort to ..."
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