Iranian Court Sentences Panahi to Year in Prison

A Tehran court has sentenced Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi to one year in prison in absentia for propaganda activities against the state, along with a two-year ban on leaving the country and a prohibition on membership in political or social groups. The ruling came as Panahi accepted multiple awards in New York City for his latest film, which has drawn international acclaim despite his long history of clashes with Iranian authorities.

Panahi's lawyer, Mostafa Nili, confirmed the verdict from Iran's Revolutionary Court and said an appeal would be filed. The 65-year-old director, who has faced repeated imprisonment and restrictions over his work, was not present for the proceedings. He offered no immediate comment on the sentence, and it remains unclear whether he intends to return to Iran.

The news broke on Monday evening as Panahi attended the Gotham Awards in New York, where his film "It Was Just an Accident" won in three categories: best director, original screenplay, and international feature. Accepting the screenplay award, Panahi dedicated it to "independent filmmakers in Iran and around the world, filmmakers who keep the camera rolling in silence, without support, and at...