Secret hostage exchange: Iranians free after weapon deal!

Secret hostage exchange: Iranians free after weapon deal!

A dramatic political thriller unfolds in Europe: Iranian businessman Mohammad Abedini, who was held responsible for the death of three US soldiers in Jordan in January 2024, has suddenly been released from an Italian detention. After the Iranian was arrested at the Milan Airport in December last year, the rumor mill was bubbling for a possible hostage exchange between Italy and Iran. Because during Abedini's arrest, the Italian journalist Cecilia Sala was arrested in Iran. She was accused of violating the media laws of the Islamic Republic, and she had to live in solitary confinement. Last Wednesday, Sala was released, which fueled the speculation about a deal between the countries, reports .

The Italian Ministry of Justice said that the allegations against Abedini were not sufficient to justify further detention, and pointed out that the deeds could not be punished under American or Italian law. The Iranian authorities, in turn, rejected any speculation about a deal and spoke of an eliminated "misunderstanding". In the meantime, Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof experiences a dramatic turn in his life. After the conviction of eight years in prison by the Islamic Revolutionary Court due to his previous film projects and his activism, he saw no other way out than to leave the country. His moving story in the film "The Seed of the Sacred Fig" reflects the tense relationships within a family, which is alienated by the protests against the oppression of women in Iran, triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini, reported NPR .

Rasoulof, which made a secret film without official approval, joined the protest against the repressive measures of the Iranian government. While he has been arrested several times in recent years, his latest work shows the effects of oppression and censorship on Iranian society and life within a family. The film actors, who made courageous decisions to continue projects in this difficult environment, are currently under pressure from the Iranian authorities. Your bravery is described as inspiring by Rasoulof. "Your courage and resilience were the strongest drive for the entire project," said Rasoulof.