Deutsche Welle had set up a blog for Ahanagarani at the beginning of July to provide her a platform to report on the Women's World Cup being held in Germany. She enjoys broad popularity in Iran, but is also critical of the Iranian administration. She was supposed to come to Germany this year to attend a few Women's World Cup games, but a day before she was set to leave Tehran friends said she was summoned to the Iranian Information Ministry. It was apparently suggested that she forego the trip, or face arrest.

Because of this and other threats, Ahangarani did not travel to Germany, and Deutsche Welle discontinued the joint blog project for her safety.

But she appeared to have been arrested after her family had lost all contact with her and did not know of her whereabouts. “There has been no trace of her for several days. The government has remained silent and family and friends are wary about giving interviews,” said Jamsheed Faroughi, the head of the DW’s Farsi service.

The editorial team from DW’s Farsi service also learned that she has been denied legal counsel from Ahangarani’s friends and acquaintances. Deutsche Welle has reported the incident on its Persian language radio programs and website and has strongly protested against the arrest of the actress, demanding her immediate release.

Ahangarani had written a DW blog for the Berlinale film festival and had also come to Bonn to attend the Deutsche Welle Blog Awards – The BOBs – in 2009. She has since become a documentary filmmaker. Her latest film “Dehnamaki-ha” about the leader of the parliamentary police group from the Hezbollah was broadcast by BBC.