Oscar-nominated Iranian director Jafar Panahi is set to appear in court again. He is accused of propaganda against the state.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the court has ordered a retrial of his case, which previously resulted in a one-year prison sentence and a two-year ban from filmmaking in absentia. The reasons for the retrial remain undisclosed.
The hearing is scheduled for May 20. During the initial verdict, Panahi was abroad, presenting his film 'No Bears' at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Golden Palm and was later nominated for an Oscar.
Panahi was previously detained for 86 days in 2022-2023 for participating in a protest demanding the release of two fellow Iranian directors. He was released after a hunger strike and successful appeal.
