LEILA FADEL, HOST:
Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi is among 17 human rights lawyers, artists and activists who signed a statement recently declaring that Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei is primarily responsible for the mass killing of Iranian protesters. Among the signatories was also Mehdi Mahmoudian, who co-wrote their film, "It Was Just An Accident," nominated for an Oscar this year. Last week, Mahmoudian was arrested with two others who signed the statement for putting their names to these words. Each day this regime remains in power, it deepens society's collapse, spreads death and destruction, and drives the country further toward irreversible ruin. Panahi joined me from France and recounted through interpreter Sheida Dayani how he first heard the news.
JAFAR PANAHI: (Through interpreter) The night before, we were texting, and the last text I sent him was 3:30 a.m.
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