Controversy Over the Arrest of Iranian Actors at a Private Gathering: Accusations of Rights Violations and Unlawful Conduct
The Iranian Cinema Actors Guild has issued a sharply worded statement condemning the recent arrest of several actors at a private gathering in Tehran, describing the incident as a “deeply regrettable violation of human dignity” and a clear breach of legal, Islamic, and human rights principles. The statement came amid widespread criticism from the artistic community, even as the judiciary spokesperson claimed on Tuesday that he had “no information” regarding the arrest of seven actors and the release of some on bail.
Only hours after the Guild’s statement was published, Pezhman Bazeghi, the Guild’s president, announced his resignation on Instagram, citing “personal and professional reasons”—a move widely interpreted as connected to the controversy. In its late-night statement on Monday, December 10, the Actors Guild expressed astonishment that such coercive actions occurred precisely during the period when the Fajr International Film Festival, after years of stagnation, was regaining momentum, questioning why a “harsh and costly” intervention was carried out at a moment meant to celebrate cultural revival.
The statement focused particularly on the manner of the arrests, condemning the intrusion into a private home, the violation of privacy, and the premature release of names and case details before any judicial review. It argued that the treatment of the detained actors violated the Constitution and the Law on Respect for Legitimate Freedoms and the Protection of Citizens’ Rights, while stressing the principle of equal treatment before the law. The Actors Guild called on high-ranking judicial officials and oversight bodies to intervene immediately, investigate the circumstances of the raid, and take legal action against individuals who, through “malicious or unauthorized reports,” contributed to damaging the emotional security of the artistic community and the cultural reputation of the country.
Iranian media first reported the arrests on Thursday, noting that several actors had been detained at a private party and that some were released the following day on bail. Several well-known cinema figures were reportedly among those named in initial reports. In response, the legal committee of the House of Cinema stated that not all actors whose names were published had actually been detained, though it confirmed that two or three individuals were arrested and that all have been released on appropriate bail while their cases move forward.
The first outlet to report the incident was the state-affiliated Fars News Agency, which claimed that police discovered a “significant quantity of homemade alcoholic beverages” at what it described as a “late-night party.” The agency reported that more than twenty individuals were arrested, stating that the gathering was a birthday celebration for a cinema artist and took place in the home of a well-known actor. According to these reports, one actor was released the same night after signing a pledge, while six others spent the night in detention and were released the following day on bail.