Berlin film festival protests arrest of Iranian director Jafar Panahi

Berlin festival protests Panahi arrest

BERLIN — The Berlin film festival is criticizing the arrest of acclaimed Iranian director Jafar Panahi.

Panahi has backed his country’s opposition. He was taken into custody in Tehran on Monday accused of committing unspecified offenses.

Berlin festival director Dieter Kosslick said Wednesday: “We are concerned and dismayed that a director who has won many international prizes has been arrested due to his work as an artist.”

Panahi’s “Offside,” a film following girls who disguise themselves as boys to sneak into a football match in Tehran, won a runner-up Silver Bear award at the Berlin festival in 2006.

He was denied permission to leave Iran last month to attend a panel discussion at this year’s festival.