Iran Court orders five-year jail term for ‘It was just an accident’ director

Tehran: Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi has been sentenced to five years in prison by the country’s Revolutionary Court with authorities also ordering the confiscation of his assets according to a report by semi-official news outlet Nournews on Wednesday.

Tehran: Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi has been sentenced to five years in prison by the country’s Revolutionary Court with authorities also ordering the confiscation of his assets according to a report by semi-official news outlet Nournews on Wednesday.

The report citing Panahi’s lawyer said the court had imposed additional restrictions including a two-year travel ban and a prohibition on social media activity. However it did not specify the charges on which the latest sentence was based.

Panahi’s lawyer Mostafa Nili was not immediately available for comment following the report.

The internationally recognised director has faced legal action in Iran on several occasions because of his filmmaking activities. Despite these challenges he has continued to produce work that has received recognition at major international film festivals.

His film It Was Just an Accident won the prestigious Palme d’Or at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival strengthening his standing in international cinema.

Panahi had also been sentenced in absentia in 2025 to one year in prison over allegations of propaganda activities against the Iranian system. He returned to Iran in March despite that earlier conviction.

The latest ruling adds to the legal difficulties faced by the filmmaker who has previously been arrested several times in connection with his work.

The reported sentence includes imprisonment asset confiscation and restrictions on travel and online activity. Further details about the case including the specific charges and any potential legal appeal were not provided in the report.