On October 15, 2023, Iranian filmmaker Dariush Mehrjui and his wife, actress Vahideh Mohammadifar, were fatally stabbed[1] by an unknown assailant at their residence at Zibadasht, near the city of Karaj. The couple were pronounced dead at the scene.
The motive for the attack was not clear, but some speculated that it could be related to Mehrjui's controversial films or his criticism of the Iranian government. Mehrjui is regarded as one of the pioneers of the Iranian New Wave cinema and has won several international awards for his works. He has also faced censorship and harassment from the authorities for his social and political themes. Mohammadifar is also a prominent actress who has appeared in many of Mehrjui's films as well as other Iranian productions.[2]
Murder
editMehrjui's daughter discovered the bodies when she visited her parents.[3] The couple's bodies were in their house, with Vahideh's head almost severed.[4]
Investigation
editIranian police investigations revealed that the main cause of the murder attempt is unclear, but some gold items have been stolen.[5] on first police reports that they take custody of 10 people related to the murder.[6] They finally reported that the police took custody of the main killer.[7] Police stated later that day that the crime scene showed “no evidence of a break-in”, and that the doors of their house were “intact”. However, they also said they found “some clues” that they think are “linked to the killer”.[8]
The main suspect confessed to the murders, saying that he was a former employee of Mehrjui who harbored a grudge against him "due to financial issues". He was subsequently sentenced to death in February 2024 while the three others received prison terms ranging from eight to 36 years for being accomplices to the crime.[9]
Burial
editMany Iranians, both at home and abroad, expressed their sorrow for the death of Mehrjui.[6]
Aftermath
editThe murders raise suspicions over the involvement of the authorities, amid a crackdown against dissidents of the Tehran regime. Mehrjui, 83, was a renowned cofounder of Iran's film new wave in the early 1970s that mainly focused on realism, and had been a vocal critic of state censorship. Last year, he strongly protested against a government decision to ban his latest film. His killing also coincides with the recent anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of Iran's morality police, which sparked an uprising and threatened the Islamic republic.[3]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Murderer Of Iranian Movie Director Dariush Mehrjui Nabbed". Iran Front Page. 2023-10-19. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
- ^ AP. "Iranian Film Director, Wife Reportedly Found Stabbed To Death In Their Home". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
- ^ a b "Acclaimed Iranian film director and his wife stabbed to death in home". euronews. 2023-10-16. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
- ^ "Iran In Shock By Mysterious Murder Of Renowned Filmmaker". Iran International. 2023-10-20. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
- ^ Mouriquand, David (2023-10-16). "Dariush Mehrjui iran filmmaker killed". Euronews.
- ^ a b "Iranian police say film director's murderer identified". PerthNow. 2023-10-19. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
- ^ "Iran police arrest 'main killer' of top film director, stabbed to death with wife". Times of Israel. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
- ^ "Prominent Iranian film-maker Dariush Mehrjui and his wife stabbed to death". The Guardian. Agence France-Presse. 2023-10-16. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-10-20.
- ^ "Dariush Mehrjui and Vahideh Mohammadifar: Man sentenced to death for murders of Iranian director and his wife". The Guardian. 12 February 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2024.