Overview
- BBC Persian and U.S. distributor Neon reported that Mehdi Mahmoudian was detained in Tehran on Saturday with fellow signatories Vida Rabbani and Abdollah Momeni.
- The detentions followed a statement signed by 17 cultural figures that accused Ali Khamenei of authorizing mass, systematic killings during this month’s protest crackdown.
- Iranian authorities have not publicly confirmed the arrests or provided details on any charges.
- Jafar Panahi, Mahmoudian’s collaborator and a signatory to the letter, issued a supportive statement; he was sentenced in absentia in December to one year in prison and a two‑year work ban.
- Coverage cites sharply disputed death tolls, with the government acknowledging more than 3,000 killed and human rights groups estimating the number in the tens of thousands.