Iran arrests Oscar-nominated writer, civil rights figures in expanding crackdown

Iranian authorities arrested three prominent activists over the weekend, including Oscar-nominated screenwriter and journalist Mehdi Mahmoudian, as arrests surge across Iran in the aftermath of last month’s widespread protests. 

Since late December, thousands of protesters have been detained, including prominent activists, cultural figures and others perceived as critics of the government.

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported that Mahmoudian, Abdollah Momeni and Vida Rabbani were arrested on Saturday after they signed a letter that said Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was responsible for the killing of protesters in the country. 

The Instagram account of social activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi published the text of the letter last week.