Iranian filmmaker flees his country after flogging, prison sentence

Award-winning Iranian director Mohammad Rasoulof has fled to Europe after being sentenced to eight years in prison, lashings, and confiscation of property by the Islamic Republic. His departure follows his conviction for actions deemed against national security, largely due to his support of protests and his critical social media activity. Rasoulof's charges stem from his involvement in a letter demanding government restraint during protests over a deadly building collapse in Abadan.