Belfast filmmaker refuses to say if Iran is paying him as he is ‘special guest’ in Tehran alongside sanctioned Wagner group figure

Prior to his death, Iranian president had been considering attending event where Mr Murray is an honoured guest, indicating its importance to the repressive regime – but Mr Murray won’t answer questions about his actions

Filmmaker Sean Murray (centre) at the Sobh Festival in Tehran, Iran. Photo: Sobh Festival

Sam McBride

Prominent Belfast filmmaker Sean Murray has refused to say if he is getting money from Iran as he dodged questions on being a "special guest" at an event in Tehran alongside individuals sanctioned by the US and the EU.

The notoriously repressive Iranian regime last year executed 834 people according to the Norway-based Iran Human Rights group, a surge in killing which came as women and girls protested at their repression in the wake of the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022.