Iranian film director and screenwriter Asghar Farhadi has snapped up the Oscar for best foreign language film despite boycotting the 89th Academy Awards to protest Donald Trump's travel ban.
Mr Farhadi chose not to attend the awards night, held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, out of respect for the countries affected by Mr Trump's executive order.
An associate for the Iranian director read out a statement on his behalf.
His statement slammed the travel ban, labelling it "inhumane" and disrespectful not only to his home country, but the six other nations affected.
"Dividing the world into the us and them categories creates fear – a justification for aggression and war," the statement read.
"Filmmakers turn their cameras to break stereotypes of various nationalities and religions. They create empathy between us and others, an empathy that we need today more than ever."
Farhadi was awarded the Oscar for his film The Salesman.
Earlier in the evening, host Jimmy Kimmel also fired shots at President Trump.
"The country is divided right now," he said.
"[But] I wanna say thank you to president Trump. I mean, remember last year when it seemed like the Oscars were racist? That's gone."
Deeply admire Asghar Farhadi now 2nd time #Oscars winner "My absence's out of respect for the people of my country..." on #MuslimBan.— Gilluis Pérez (@Gilluis_Perez) February 27, 2017
"Dividing the world into the us and our enemies categories creates fear" —Asghar Farhadi #MuslimBan #Oscars pic.twitter.com/h17W3Fjc5U— Jolt Texas ⚡️ (@jolt_texas) February 27, 2017
