Iranian airport officials have confiscated actress Leyli Rashidi’s passport and electronic devices upon her return to Iran.

Tezham Borumand, Rashidi’s mother, revealed in an Instagram post that her daughter’s passport, mobile phone, and laptop were seized, and her belongings were thoroughly searched.

Borumand expressed frustration with the situation, stating, “I wish thieves and looters would be seen like this, I wish all our enemies were as dangerous as Leyli and her ilk.”

She also sarcastically thanked the Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance, Mohammad Mehdi Esmaili, for his recent claims of supporting artists and lifting bans on their activities.

This incident follows Rashidi’s public support for the Woman, Life, Freedom movement in 2022 when she posted a photo of herself without the mandatory hijab on Instagram.

The confiscation of Rashidi’s passport is the latest in a series of actions taken against artists who have supported protests following the death of Mahsa Amini in custody nearly two years ago.

Other prominent figures in Iranian cinema, including Taraneh Alidoosti, Katayoun Riahi, and Pegah Ahangarani, have faced similar pressures and legal consequences for their involvement in the protests and opposition to compulsory hijab laws.

Source » hrw