The well-known Iranian actress Taraneh Alidoosti has been arrested in connection with the system-critical protests in Iran.

According to the pro-government news agency Tasnim, the 38-year-old was accused of "spreading misinformation and supporting counter-revolutionary circles". This usually carries a long prison sentence.

Alidoosti is one of the best paid and internationally most successful actresses in Iran. Last month, she posted a photo on her Instagram page of herself without the headscarf, which is mandatory in Iran, in public solidarity with the new women's movement and the protests that have been going on for three months. In doing so, she jeopardized her career and was therefore praised for her courage at home and abroad.

Alidoosti's best-known films include the dramas The Salesman and All About Elly, both directed by two-time Oscar winner Asghar Farhadi. This year she premiered her latest film "Leila's Brothers" at the Cannes Film Festival. Public showings of the film in Iranian cinemas have been banned by the Ministry of Culture.