Russia Halts Release Of Iranian Film On Serial Killer Of Sex Workers

Russian authorities have suspended the release of an award-winning film about a serial killer who targets sex workers in Iran.

The film Holy Spider was released in Russia on May 11, but less than a week later the Culture Ministry withdrew its distribution license, a representative of the film's distributor confirmed on May 16.

The ministry said the decision was made due to “materials containing information” whose dissemination is prohibited under Russian law.

The move comes as Russia and Iran are seeking to tighten ties amid Moscow's growing isolation in the West over its offensive in Ukraine.