Kurdish film director Rahim Zabihi and his brother Kaywan died following a tragic car accident after their vehicle caught fire in the Nizro district in Baneh, on Iran’s western border.

Sources close to the family confirmed they had found Rahim and his brother burned in the car, pointing out that they believe that the accident was deliberate.

Kurdish filmmaker Rahim Zabihi was considered one of the prominent Kurdish cinematique professionals, directing tens of short films and winning local and international awards.

Beri Shalmashi, a prominent journalist, said in a tweet that Rahim Zabihi was a significant voice against the Iranian government, which systematically killed Kurdish people.

She confirmed that the Kurdish director had been arrested by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corp in Baneh, and was released only two days before his tragic death.

Al Arabiya English