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Iran Urged to Free Top Actor Who Backed Protests

FILE - Taraneh Alidoosti poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'Leila's Brothers' at the 75th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Wednesday, May 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole, File)
FILE - Taraneh Alidoosti poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'Leila's Brothers' at the 75th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Wednesday, May 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole, File)
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Iran Urged to Free Top Actor Who Backed Protests

FILE - Taraneh Alidoosti poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'Leila's Brothers' at the 75th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Wednesday, May 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole, File)
FILE - Taraneh Alidoosti poses for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'Leila's Brothers' at the 75th international film festival, Cannes, southern France, Wednesday, May 25, 2022. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole, File)

Celebrities and rights groups called on Iran on Sunday to free actor Taraneh Alidoosti, one of the most prominent figures yet arrested in its three-month crackdown on protests.

Alidoosti, 38, was arrested on Saturday, official media said, after making a string of social media posts supporting the protest movement -- including removing her headscarf and condemning the execution of protesters.

The unrest was sparked by the September 16 death in custody of Mahsa Amini, 22, whom the morality police accused of violating the country's strict dress code for women.

Iran blames the United States and other "enemies" for trying to destabilize the country by fueling the demonstrations.

Several prominent figures -- including other actors and footballers -- have been detained in connection with the protests.

Alidoosti has considerable international renown, performing in award-winning films by director Asghar Farhadi, including the Oscar-winning 2016 film "The Salesman".

Somayeh Mirshamsi, assistant director on "The Salesman", said Alidoosti had called her father to say she was being held in Tehran's notorious Evin prison, run by the intelligence ministry.

Alidoosti asked her father for the delivery of medicines, and her family are "worried" and her health, Mirshamsi wrote on Twitter.

'Power of women's voices'

Prominent Iranian cinema figures gathered outside Evin prison, Iranian daily Shargh reported, including co-stars from "Leila's Brothers", a film which Alidoosti went to Cannes Film Festival earlier this year to promote.

The group included actor Payman Maadi and director Saeed Roustayi, as well as her father Hamid, who played football for Iran in the 1970s.

Her arrest also generated anger on social media, with exiled actor Golshifteh Farahani calling her "the brave actress of Iran" and demanding her release.

On November 9, Alidoosti posted an image of herself without a headscarf, holding a paper with the main slogan of the protests: "Woman, life, freedom".

In a show of support after her arrest, former French football star turned actor Eric Cantona reposted that image on Instagram with the hashtag "#freedom".

In Canada, Cameron Bailey, head of the Toronto International Film Festival, called Alidoosti "one of Iran's most talented and acclaimed actors".

"I hope she's free to keep representing the strength of Iranian cinema soon", Bailey wrote.

The New York-based Center for Human Rights in Iran said women including Alidoosti "are being arrested and jailed in Iran for refusing to wear forced hijabs".

"The power of women's voices terrify the Islamic republic's ruler", it added.

'Any price'

During the street protests, banners of supreme leader Ali Khamenei have been set alight, women have openly walked down streets without headscarves, and demonstrators have at times sought to challenge the security forces.

Authorities in Tehran on Sunday also questioned 26-year-old singer Amir Maghare of the hugely popular Macan Band pop group.

The judiciary's Mizan Online news website said Maghare had "left the prosecutor's office after providing explanations, receiving a warning and making a commitment".

Daily sports newspaper Khabar Varzeshi reported Sunday that Ashkan Dejagah, 36, a former Iran national football player who also has German citizenship, has been barred from leaving the country "after being seen in protests... in Germany".

Alidoosti's most recent social media post was on December 8, the same day Mohsen Shekari, 23, became the first person executed by authorities over the protests.

"Your silence means the support of the oppression and the oppressor", she wrote on Instagram.

Images have also circulated on social media of Alidoosti shopping in Tehran without a headscarf.

She had vowed not to leave Iran and said she was prepared to "pay any price to stand up for my rights."

Mizan Online said the actor was arrested "by order of the judicial authority" as she "did not provide documentation for some of her claims" about the protests.

Her Instagram account with more than eight million followers was no longer accessible on Sunday.

The Oslo-based monitor Iran Human Rights said Saturday that Iran's security forces had killed at least 469 people in the protests while at least 14,000 people have been arrested, according to the UN.

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World

Germany’s Merz Reaffirms Support for Israel During Visit

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (L) meets with Israeli President Isaac Herzog at the President's residence in Jerusalem, 06 December 2025. (EPA)
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (L) meets with Israeli President Isaac Herzog at the President's residence in Jerusalem, 06 December 2025. (EPA)
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Germany’s Merz Reaffirms Support for Israel During Visit

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (L) meets with Israeli President Isaac Herzog at the President's residence in Jerusalem, 06 December 2025. (EPA)
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (L) meets with Israeli President Isaac Herzog at the President's residence in Jerusalem, 06 December 2025. (EPA)

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz flew into Israel Saturday for his first visit since taking office, and reaffirmed Berlin’s support after traditionally solid ties between the countries were shaken by the Gaza war.

Merz landed at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport just before 8:00 pm (1800 GMT) and was met by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who called him “a friend of Israel.” Germany, he added, was “an important partner.”

Merz met Israeli President Isaac Herzog in Jerusalem later Saturday.

“I consider it a great honor and a truly great distinction to be here and to reaffirm that standing by this country is and will remain the unchanging core principle of the Federal Republic of Germany’s policy,” said Merz.

Earlier Saturday, Merz held talks with Jordan’s King Abdullah II during a brief stopover there. Their discussions focused largely on the fragile peace process in Israel and the Palestinian territories, he told reporters.

Merz urged more humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza and for Hamas fighters to lay down their weapons, adding that both Jordan and Germany remained committed to a negotiated two-state solution.

“There can be no place for terrorism and antisemitism in this shared future,” Merz said.

Jordan’s royal palace said in a statement that King Abdullah had stressed “the need to commit to implementing all stages of the agreement to end the war and deliver humanitarian aid to all areas of the Strip.”

He warned of “the danger of continued Israeli escalations in the West Bank,” which Israel has occupied since 1967.

Hamas said Saturday it was ready to hand over its weapons in the Gaza Strip to a Palestinian authority governing the territory, provided the Israeli army’s occupation ended.

“We accept the deployment of UN forces as a separation force, tasked with monitoring the borders and ensuring compliance with the ceasefire in Gaza,” Hamas chief negotiator and its Gaza chief Khalil al-Hayya added in a statement.

But he rejected the deployment of any international force in the Strip whose mission would be to disarm it.

Ties shaken

In Jerusalem on Sunday, Merz is scheduled to visit the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial before meeting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Given the dark legacy of Nazi Germany’s industrial-scale murder of Jews, German leaders have long seen unflinching support for Israel as a bedrock of the country’s foreign policy.

But Israeli-German ties were shaken during the Gaza war set off by the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel which resulted in the deaths of 1,221 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures.

Merz, who took power in May, has repeatedly criticized Israel’s relentless military campaign, which has killed more than 69,000 Palestinians, according to the health ministry in the territory, figures the United Nations considers credible.

In August, he also moved to restrict sales of weapons for use in Gaza.

Since a fragile US-backed ceasefire and hostage deal ended full-scale fighting, Germany has lifted those export restrictions.

Despite the ceasefire, more than 350 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to local health authorities, as well as three Israeli soldiers.

“The actions of the Israeli army in Gaza have posed some dilemmas for us (and) we have responded to them,” Merz said Saturday.

But, he added: “Israel has the right to defend itself.”

Defense deals

Although Merz’s public criticism of Israel was unusual for a German leader, it was measured by international standards.

Merz recently offered Israel full-throated support as European broadcasters considered whether to exclude the country from the annual Eurovision Song Contest, calling such a possibility “scandalous.”

Thursday’s decision to include Israel in the upcoming Eurovision event was warmly welcomed in Berlin.

Nevertheless, German officials have said there are currently no plans to invite Netanyahu to Berlin.

The Israeli leader faces an arrest warrant for alleged war crimes in Gaza from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Earlier this year however, Merz vowed to invite the Israeli leader and told him he would not be arrested.

Nor have any tensions disrupted key military ties. Germany last week put into operation the first phase of the Israeli-made Arrow missile defense shield.

The $4.5-billion deal was reportedly the largest arms export agreement in Israeli history.

Before leaving Berlin on Saturday, Merz spoke with Palestinian Authority (PA) president Mahmoud Abbas.

A spokesman said Merz underscored German support for a two-state solution but urged Abbas to push through “urgently necessary reforms” of the PA in order to play a “constructive role” in the postwar order.

World

China and Russia Hold Third Joint Anti-missile Drills on Russian Territory

Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting at the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, China, October 18, 2023. Sputnik/Sergei Guneev/Pool via REUTERS
Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting at the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, China, October 18, 2023. Sputnik/Sergei Guneev/Pool via REUTERS
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China and Russia Hold Third Joint Anti-missile Drills on Russian Territory

Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting at the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, China, October 18, 2023. Sputnik/Sergei Guneev/Pool via REUTERS
Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting at the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, China, October 18, 2023. Sputnik/Sergei Guneev/Pool via REUTERS

China and Russia held their third round of joint anti-missile drills on Russian territory in early December, China's defense ministry said late on Saturday.

The exercises were not targeted at any third party or in response to any current international situations, according to a post on the ministry's website.

The two countries held talks on missile defense and strategic stability last month and held artillery and anti-submarine drills in the Sea of Japan in August, according to Reuters.

Russia and China signed a "no-limits" strategic partnership shortly before Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, pledging to conduct regular military exercises to rehearse coordination between their armed forces.

Both countries have expressed concern over US President Donald Trump's plans to build a "golden dome" missile shield and his stated intention to resume nuclear weapons testing after a break of more than 30 years.

World

Hong Kong Heads to the Polls after Deadly Fire

Hong Kong leader John Lee urged the public to head to the polls. Peter PARKS / AFP
Hong Kong leader John Lee urged the public to head to the polls. Peter PARKS / AFP
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Hong Kong Heads to the Polls after Deadly Fire

Hong Kong leader John Lee urged the public to head to the polls. Peter PARKS / AFP
Hong Kong leader John Lee urged the public to head to the polls. Peter PARKS / AFP

Hong Kong began voting on Sunday to choose new lawmakers under Beijing's "patriots only" rules, though government efforts to drive turnout have been overshadowed by the city's deadliest fire in decades.

Beijing revamped Hong Kong's electoral system in 2021 following the city's huge and sometimes violent pro-democracy protests, but the first contest under those rules saw a record low turnout of 30 percent, said AFP.

The voter turnout just before noon Sunday stood at 10.33 percent, while the comparable figure in the last election was 9.35 percent.

Hong Kong leader John Lee again urged the public to head to the polls.

"(Your) vote represents a vote that pushes forward reform, and a vote to protect those affected by the disaster," Lee told reporters after casting his vote.

Political campaigning was abruptly paused after a blaze tore through the housing blocks of Wang Fuk Court in northern Hong Kong in late November, killing at least 159 people.

A woman surnamed Poon, whose home went up in flames, said the fire must be "thoroughly investigated", adding that she believed the government responded promptly.

"Whoever is at fault must be held responsible," Poon told AFP outside the polling station closest to the charred buildings.

She said the next batch of lawmakers "should monitor the government".

Jacky Lam, a 56-year-old teacher who lived in the affected Tai Po district, said the government's top priority should be proper resettlement.

"(Lawmakers) ought to regularly meet with residents and collect their views," Lam added.

The government will propose a bill at the first meeting of the new Legislative Council to discuss relief and rebuilding efforts.

City leader Lee had earlier announced a judge-led "independent committee" to investigate the fire, which devastated seven apartment blocks undergoing renovations.

As of late Wednesday, police have arrested 15 people from various construction companies on suspicion of manslaughter.

Police also reportedly arrested at least three people for sedition in the wake of the fire, including 24-year-old student Miles Kwan who handed out flyers calling for government accountability. AFP later saw Kwan leaving the police station.

Turnout in spotlight

Legislature elections in Hong Kong used to feature boisterous clashes between pro-Beijing and pro-democracy camps, with the latter often winning around 60 percent of the popular vote.

But in 2020, Beijing imposed a sweeping national security law after the city was roiled by huge and sometimes violent pro-democracy protests.

Beijing overhauled Hong Kong's electoral system in 2021 to ensure only "patriots" could hold office, and slashed the number of directly elected seats.

Some pro-democracy lawmakers have been jailed -- including as part of a subversion case that concluded last year -- while others resigned or fled Hong Kong.

Authorities extended voting times with Sunday's polls opening at 7:30 am (2330 GMT Saturday), an hour earlier than in the previous election.

The race will once again be devoid of the two largest pro-democracy parties: the Civic Party disbanded in 2023 and the Democratic Party, which is winding down.

Before the fire, authorities had blanketed much of the city in promotional material and extended the operating hours of polling stations.

Trains will also extend services on election day, while some businesses have promised to give employees a half-day off if they head to the polls.

Around a third of the outgoing cohort of lawmakers, including veterans such as Regina Ip and legislature president Andrew Leung, are not seeking another term.

Newcomers include Olympic champion fencer Vivian Kong, who is contesting a seat in the tourism functional constituency -- where the winner is determined by industry representatives, not popular vote.