Info:
Mohammad Mehdi Esmaeili is the Iranian Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance.
Under his authority, the Ministry has threatened artists/musicians who do not follow the government line with travel and work bans. He has personally and publicly threatened filmmakers who had published a statement asking the security forces to show restraint against peaceful protesters with arrest and work bans. An important number of artists and journalists have been arrested under trumped up charges since he became Minister, indicating that the repressive threats were followed by repressive acts. Esmaeili also works on curtailing freedom of expression even further by currently pushing a bill through Parliament that will criminalise the sharing of any information deemed critical of the regime or any reporting deemed critical of the regime. Under Mohammad Mehdi Esmaeili’s authority and with his stated approval, numerous Iranian artists, musicians, filmmakers and journalists were threatened, arrested and prosecuted on trumped charges and their freedom of expression was further significantly curtailed.
He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.
Associated entity:
Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)
Involved In:
Iranian Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance
Also Known As:
Mohammad Mehdi Esmaeili(محمد مهدی اسماعیلی)
Country:
Iran
Address:
Tehran, Iran
DOB:
1975
POB:
Kabudarahang, Hamedan, Iran
Nationality:Iranian