'Australia condemns lashing sentence of Iranian actress'

Marzieh Vafamehr was convicted for appearing in Australian film critical of Tehran's regime; Rudd says his government is "very concerned."

By JPOST.COM STAFF
'My Tehran For Sale' 311 (photo credit: Courtesy)
'My Tehran For Sale' 311
(photo credit: Courtesy)
An Iranian actress who appeared in an Australian film critical of the regime in Tehran was sentenced to one year in prison and 90 lashes for the film, drawing condemnation from Australia.
The Australian government condemned the sentencing of an Iranian actress to one year in prison and 90 lashes for her role in a film critical of Tehran's regime, The Sydney Morning Herald reported on Tuesday.
RELATED:Iran gives opposition chief break from house arrest 'Iran court likely to revoke pastor's death sentence'
The movie, My Tehran For Sale, is an Australian-produced film critical of Iran's hard-line policies. Actress Marzieh Vafamehr had no role in the production of the film beyond acting, producers said, according to the report.
Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Kevin Rudd said his government condemned the use of cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment, adding that it was "deeply concerned" by reports of the sentence, the Herald reported.
A statement from Rudd's office added, "The Australian government urges Iran to protect the rights of all Iranians and foreign citizens," according to the report.
The film, which was shot in Tehran, is a story about the censoring of performing arts in the Islamic Republic.
My Tehran For Sale was banned in Iran but black market copies have made their way into the country.