{
  "id": 4005821,
  "title": "Culture of oppression: The Iranian graphic designers arrested for the 'crime' of meeting French diplomats",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/culture-of-oppression-the-iranian-graphic-designers-arrested-for-the",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-28T18:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National Business",
    "slug": "the-national-business",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/uk/2026/08/28/aria-kasaei-elly-naghilou-tehran-art-month-iran-france/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Iranian graphic designers Aria Kasaei and Elly Naghilou were arrested last month for meeting with two French diplomats to discuss a cultural project, according to supporters. The pair, who had dedicated their careers to promoting Iranian culture, were accused of political motives. Studio Kargah, a graphic design company co-founded by Kasaei, played a crucial role in the city's art scene, creating visual identities for galleries and producing exhibition catalogues. The arrest has left the creative industries in shock and fear, as tensions with France grew after the diplomats were expelled.",
  "summary": "The inaugural Tehran Art Month started last week against the backdrop of war and increasing sanctions – a reminder of the incredible feats achieved by creative people in times of war. But it was also marked by the silence around the detention of two of the city’s key artistic figures. The arrest of graphic designers Aria Kasaei and Elly Naghilou in the Iranian capital last month, apparently for…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National UAE",
        "title": "Culture of oppression: The Iranian graphic designers arrested for the 'crime' of meeting French diplomats",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/culture-of-oppression-the-iranian-graphic-designers-arrested-for-the-4005902",
        "published": "2026-08-28T18:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}