Iranian filmmaker Bashir Biazar released from French detention
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Biazar was arrested on charges that included "Iranian propaganda," "anti-Zionism and anti-Americanism," and alleged social media activities deemed detrimental to public order in France.
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Undated picture of Bashir Biazar. Retrieved from social media (X, @m_m_esmaeili)
Iranian filmmaker and musician Bashir Biazar has been released from detention in France and is en route back to Iran, as confirmed by an official from Iran's Presidential Office.
Bashir Biazar's detention, which lasted over a month, sparked an international outcry and accusations of political motivations by French authorities.
He was arrested on charges that included "Iranian propaganda," "anti-Zionism and anti-Americanism," and alleged social media activities deemed detrimental to public order in France, according to documents obtained by Press TV.
Read more: France detains Iranian citizen for social media posts
The charges against Biazar were vehemently rejected by human rights activists, officials, and his supporters, who argued they were unfounded and driven by political agendas targeting Iran.
Rachid Lemoudaa, a French lawyer representing Biazar, told AFP that "There is nothing, in terms of law, that justifies this measure. Bashir Biazar expressed himself on his Instagram account, as anyone could do freely in a state governed by the rule of law," adding that he believes the issue is "political, and politics has no place in law."
Prior to Biazar's release, the president of the Iranian High Council for Human Rights Kazem Gharibabadi stated on X that the arrest of an Iranian citizen by French police for defending the suffering Palestinian people is a problem for France's human rights record.
Ultimately, analysis of his social media content and activities failed to substantiate the allegations, further underlining claims of political persecution.
بالاخره پس از رایزنیهای فشرده بشیر بیآزار هنرمند ارزشمند و خبرنگار مستقل که در فرانسه مهد ادعای آزادی بیان به دلیل حمایت جانانه از جمهوری اسلامی و نیز مردم مظلوم غزه بازداشت شده بود امروز آزاد (اخراج) شد و امشب به وطن برمیگردد؛ pic.twitter.com/XOdccc1zot
— محمد مهدی اسماعیلی (@m_m_esmaeili) July 3, 2024
Read more: Iran announces release of Hamid Nouri from Swedish prison
Born and raised in Iran, Biazar is renowned internationally for his work as an independent music composer and filmmaker.
He previously held prominent roles at Iran's New Horizon Institute of Arts and Culture and served in organizational capacities in London's Islamic Student Association.
His contributions to Iran's state broadcaster, IRIB, as a production manager have also been widely acclaimed.
The release of Bashir Biazar comes after concerted efforts from diplomatic channels and human rights advocates, stressing broader implications of political actions on artistic expression and freedom of speech.
