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Prominent Iranian directors Mahnaz Mohammadi and Jafar Panahi were arrested as they tried to lay flowers at the grave on 27-year-old music student Nedha Agha Soltan during a gathering of thousands of people to commemorate the protesters killed during riots after June’s elections.   The rally was held at Behesht-e Zahra on the southern outskirts of Tehran to mark the end of the traditional 40-day period of mourning for Soltan, whose death after being shot by police was seen around the world after footage was uploaded onto the internet.   The publicity generated by the film made her a powerful symbol for the opposition party, whose supporters chanted  ‘Neda lives!” during the gathering.   Police eventually fired tear gas into the crowd and beat protesters to force them to disperse.

 Panahi’s film, The Circle, was banned by the Iranian government for its criticism of the government’s treatment of women.   Panahi’s wife, Tahereh Saeedi and daughter Solmaz were also arrested.

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