Parviz Tanavoli Faces Charges After Passport Seizure in Iran

Iranian artist Parviz Tanavoli has been charged with disturbing public peace after authorities confiscated his passport. The incident occurred shortly before he was scheduled to travel to the UK in early July 2016. Tanavoli was due to give a talk at the British Museum about his recent book, European Women in Persian Houses. The book features images of nudes, including a bare-breasted woman on its cover, which conflicts with conservative Islamic norms. His sculptures have also been cited as a potential source of the dispute. The artist risks a fine or imprisonment, and his passport remains withheld. Artnet reported on the accusations.