Iranian filmmaker imprisoned for a year over his work

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iranian filmmaker Keywan Karimi has begun serving a year-long prison sentence handed down over footage authorities deemed insulting, his production company confirmed on Thursday.

Karimi was arrested by the Revolutionary Guard and held in solitary confinement in December 2013 after a trailer for "Writing on the City" was posted on YouTube, according to Paris-based production company Les Films de l'Apres-Midi.

Karimi is one of several artists, poets, journalists, fashion models and activists who have been arrested in a crackdown on expression led by hard-liners who oppose President Hassan Rouhani's more moderate policies and efforts to promote greater openness with the outside world.