Oscar-Nominated 'It Was Just an Accident' Co-Screenwriter Released from Iranian Prison

Mehdi Mahmoudian, Vida Rabbani, and Abdollah Momeni freed after weeks of incarceration for condemning actions of Iranian leadership

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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Mehdi Mahmoudian, the Oscar-nominated co-writer of the Palme d'Or-winning film 'It Was Just An Accident,' has been released from Nowshahr Prison in Iran, along with journalists Vida Rabbani and activist Abdollah Momeni. The three had been arrested in January for signing the 'Statement of the Seventeen' letter, which condemned the actions of Iran's leader Ali Khamenei. Over the past 15 years, acclaimed Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi has faced repeated imprisonment, interrogation, and a 20-year filmmaking ban from the Iranian government.

Why it matters

The release of Mahmoudian, Rabbani, and Momeni highlights the ongoing crackdown by the Iranian regime on artistic expression and dissent. Panahi's continued persecution underscores the precarious situation for filmmakers and other creatives in Iran who dare to criticize the government.

The details

Mahmoudian, Rabbani, and Momeni were arrested in January after signing the 'Statement of the Seventeen,' which condemned the actions of Iranian leader Ali Khamenei. They were held for 17 days before being released. Panahi, Mahmoudian's co-writer on 'It Was Just An Accident,' has faced a decades-long crackdown by the Iranian government, including imprisonment, interrogation, and a 20-year filmmaking ban.

  • Mahmoudian, Rabbani, and Momeni were arrested in January 2026.
  • Mahmoudian, Rabbani, and Momeni were released after 17 days of incarceration.
  • Jafar Panahi has faced persecution from the Iranian government over the past 15 years.

The players

Mehdi Mahmoudian

Oscar-nominated co-writer of the Palme d'Or-winning film 'It Was Just An Accident.'

Vida Rabbani

Journalist who was arrested along with Mahmoudian and Momeni.

Abdollah Momeni

Activist who was arrested along with Mahmoudian and Rabbani.

Jafar Panahi

Acclaimed Iranian filmmaker who has faced repeated imprisonment, interrogation, and a 20-year filmmaking ban from the Iranian government.

Ali Khamenei

Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, whose actions were condemned in the 'Statement of the Seventeen' letter signed by Mahmoudian, Rabbani, and Momeni.

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What they’re saying

“It is clear that families went together into the protests with their children, meaning that people did not have any intentions for violence.”

— Jafar Panahi (Santa Barbara International Film Festival)

The takeaway

The release of Mahmoudian, Rabbani, and Momeni is a small victory, but the continued persecution of filmmakers and artists like Jafar Panahi by the Iranian regime highlights the ongoing struggle for creative freedom and political dissent in the country.