An Iranian-born model has split the internet after wearing a dress that looked like a noose.
Mahlagha Jaberi, 33, said she wore the dress at the 76th Cannes Film Festival to ‘make a statement’ and draw attention to the executions taking place at Iran.
She also shared a video and photo of it on Instagram.
The video involved different close-up shots of the model wearing the dress with text that read, “Stop the executions.”
In another post, the model said she wanted to “draw media attention” to the situation in Iran.
She wrote: “We wanted to make a fashion statement to observe the glamor of Cannes, but more importantly, to draw media attention to the wrongful executions of the Iranian people.
“Unfortunately, political statements are not allowed at the film festival and security prevented me from showing the back of my dress, but the meaning of the ‘noose’ was well understood.”
There have been months of continuous protests since September last year, sparked by the murder of a 22-year-old Mahsa Amini after being detained by the Iranian vice squad.
However, the model’s post and video drew criticism on social media.
Journalist Yashar Ali said the model’s video was “absolutely shameful”.
He said: “While innocent Iranians are being executed, @MahlaghaJaberi thought it would be a good idea to wear a dress with a noose and film a seductive video using a song that has become an anthem for the protesters.
“Absolutely shameful all around.
“And then end the video with ‘stop executions’ and no other context or information makes it useless!”
Others, however, were quick to defend Jaberi.
One social media user wrote, “Why not appreciate his efforts? Doesn’t the intention matter?”
While another said: “I consider this her way of protesting and her way of supporting the protesters. I don’t think she did anything malicious.”
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Although Iran said so pardoned thousands of those arrested when it comes to protests, he also appears to have led a crackdown in 2023 so far.
The country’s authorities have executed at least 60 people since the end of April, according to Human Rights Watch.
Earlier this month, Iran executed two men for blasphemy.
Authorities in the country have accused the men of being involved in a channel on the Telegram messaging app – which they say insults Islam and promotes atheism.
The men were also accused of burning the Quran or sharing an image of the act of burning Islam’s holy book on the Telegram channel.
Alireza Akbaria British-Iranian national, was also executed earlier this year after being accused of spying for the UK.
At the time, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was “appalled” by the execution.
He added: “It was a ruthless and cowardly act, perpetrated by a barbaric regime with no respect for the human rights of its own people.
“My thoughts are with Alireza’s friends and family.”
