Oscar-nominated co-writer of It Was Just an Accident released from Iranian prison

The Guardian - World NewsEN 2 min read 100% complete by Associated PressFebruary 17, 2026 at 11:44 PM

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Mehdi Mahmoudian, an Oscar-nominated co-writer for "It Was Just an Accident," was released from an Iranian prison after being arrested 17 days prior in Tehran. His arrest followed his signing of a statement condemning Iran's supreme leader and the government's violent response to demonstrators. Mahmoudian, along with two other signatories, Vida Rabbani and Abdollah Momeni, were released on bail from Nowshahr prison. No charges against Mahmoudian have been specified. The film "It Was Just an Accident" is nominated for Best Original Screenplay and Best International Feature. Mahmoudian, a writer and political activist, has been imprisoned multiple times in the past.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

United States 30% Nowshahr prison 40% France 40% Tehran 40% Donald Trump 40% Vida Rabbani ×260% Islamic Republic 60% Abdollah Momeni ×260% Jafar Panahi ×370% Ayatollah Ali Khamenei 70% Iran ×380% Mehdi Mahmoudian ×490%

Keywords

iranian prison 90% regime crackdown 80% protests 70% political activist 70% freedom of expression 70% islamic republic 60% oscar-nominated 60% human rights 50% film 50%