Murder Of Iranian Director Sparks Outcry

The brutal murders of renowned Iranian filmmaker Dariush Mehrjui and his wife Vahideh Mohammadifar has ignited a wave of condemnation of the country's dire security situation.

Prominent lawyer and rights defendant Nasrin Sotoudeh raised questions about the potential political motive behind the murder, calling for a referendum to establish a stable government. Mehrjui was notorious for his anti-regime views with suspicions laying at the door of the regime's own security apparatus.

She pointed out that no matter who the culprits, the current government appears incapable of ensuring its citizens' security.

According to Faraz Daily news website, the perpetrators cut the throats of the pair and broke their arms and legs. Mehrjui’s head was clobbered with a blunt object and his wife was almost beheaded.

Rasoul Sadr-Ameli, the spokesperson for the House of Cinema, declared a three-day period of public mourning starting from Monday to pay respects to Mehrjui. Additionally, all film projects across the nation are slated to be suspended for a day during the funeral procession for the revered director.

Renowned international actress and political activist, Golshifteh Farahani, directed a message to the Iranian authorities, referring to the punishment many have faced for speaking out against the regime over the years and the mass censorship which has only deepened since the Women, Life, Freedom protests. "How much do you torment Iranian artists," she said.

Haniyeh Tavassoli, a well-known actress who was detained during the 2021 protests, expressed her anguish with a poignant statement: "We are unfortunate. That's it. No further explanation is needed."

President Ebrahim Raisi claims to have directed a full investigation with reports indicating that seven suspects have been apprehended in connection with the murder so far.