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A prominent Iranian documentary film-maker and women's rights activist, whose work includes banned films about Iran's society, has been arrested by unidentified officials.

Mahnaz Mohammadi, 37, was picked up from her home in the capital Tehran by security officers who refused to show a warrant for her arrest and was taken to Evin prison, where many activists are being held.

Speaking by phone from Tehran, her lawyer told the Guardian that Mohammadi had been denied access to her family or proper legal representation and was being kept incommunicado.

News of her arrest comes two weeks after another women's rights campaigner and photojournalist, Maryam Majd, was arrested before departing Tehran as she tried to fly to Germany, where she intended to cover the Fifa Women's World Cup.

Majd, 25, had campaigned for women in Iran to be allowed to enter stadiums to watch football matches. She had been expected to join Petra Landers, a former German national footballer, to work on a book project about women's sport but was detained and transferred to Evin before her departure. She has also been denied access to her lawyer and family.

The arrests of both activists have prompted cri... >>>