Baktash Abtin (Mehdi Kazemi) (Persian:بکتاش آبتین (مهدی کاظمی); 16 December 1974 – 8 January 2022) was an Iranian poet, writer, and film maker who was imprisoned for 'propaganda against the state' and 'actions against national security'.

[2] Abtin went on to direct at least six additional films (all with dialogue in Persian) up until 2013 including some features touching on more comedic and intimate aspects of Iranian Society.

[3][4][5] After involvement with the publication of a book describing the history of the Iranian Writer's Association, Abtin was charged on 15 May 2019, with "illegal assembly and collusion against national security" and "spreading propaganda against the state".

[11] During this initial period of illness, Abtin was allegedly denied proper treatment and he was released back to the general population within a week while still unwell.

[15] Hadi Ghaemi, director of the New York-based Center for Human Rights in Iran called for accountability over Abtin's death, while tens of thousands of others responded on social media.