Newsletters
Iranian actor and former footballer Pejman Jamshidi, who has faced allegations of sexual assault, has reportedly left Iran for Türkiye after being released on bail. According to the semi-official Tasnim News Agency, Jamshidi departed the country legally through one of Iran’s border crossings, with no judicial restrictions preventing his travel.
Tasnim cited an informed source saying there was “no question” of Jamshidi fleeing or leaving the country illegally. The source added that no exit ban had been imposed on him by judicial authorities.
The actor later confirmed his departure through a message posted on his sister’s Instagram account, saying that he had gone abroad to visit his family and intended to return soon.
Jamshidi was detained for several days before being released earlier this week. His lawyer, Ali Mohammadzadeh, told Fars News Agency that the actor traveled abroad to “carry out administrative matters” and would “definitely return to the country” after completing them.
The lawyer also emphasized that Jamshidi had traveled abroad and returned multiple times in recent months, all with the full knowledge and authorization of judicial authorities.
Despite his lawyer’s assurances, the timing of Jamshidi’s departure has fueled public speculation, given that it follows closely on the heels of reports of his arrest.
When news first broke of a well-known Iranian actor being detained, officials did not disclose his name. Only days later did Tehran’s chief justice confirm that the actor’s detention order had been revised—still without mentioning Jamshidi explicitly.
Although authorities have not officially confirmed the charges against Jamshidi, Iranian media outlets such as IRNA and the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting Corporation have linked the case to a recent sexual assault complaint. Last week, the Iranian judiciary announced that a “famous film actor” had been arrested following a woman’s complaint of rape.
The judiciary’s official news agency, Mizan, stated that “following a complaint from a private plaintiff and specialized and scientific investigations, this famous film actor was summoned, charged, and arrested.” The statement provided no further details about the complainant or the alleged incident.
Before his acting career, Jamshidi was a prominent football player, representing Persepolis FC and the Iranian national team. He later transitioned into cinema and television, becoming one of Iran’s most recognized figures in entertainment.
In 2022, Jamshidi’s performance in Grassland earned him the Best International Actor Award at Türkiye’s Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival, further cementing his regional reputation. His recent move to Türkiye, however, has drawn heightened attention due to the ongoing investigation and the high-profile nature of the accusations.
1 min read
According to Iranian journalist Elahe Mohammadi, who allegedly spoke with both the complainant and her mother, their accounts include significant details about the incident and the pressures they faced afterward.
They described attempts by Jamshidi and his associates to silence them, including substantial financial offers, alleged intimidation, and the involvement of another woman said to have facilitated the assault.
The complainant’s mother also revealed that the forensic medical examiner confirmed evidence of assault twice, adding weight to their claims.
The case has stirred debate across Iranian social media, where reactions range from support for the actor’s presumed innocence to outrage over the alleged crime. Iranian authorities have yet to clarify whether Jamshidi’s return to the country remains expected or if further legal action will follow.
For now, Jamshidi’s reported stay in Türkiye—combined with silence from both the judiciary and the actor himself—has left many questioning whether his departure signals a temporary visit or a longer-term retreat from Iran’s mounting scrutiny.
Whether the Turkish judiciary will get involved in the case is being discussed on social media.
2 min read
