Davoodi was arrested in 2003 for his involvement in the production of the documentary Forbidden Iran, which exposed the harsh realities of life under the Iranian regime. After enduring a series of sham trials and convictions, he was sentenced to death. During his imprisonment, he was tortured, leading to serious medical conditions, including long-term health issues. Despite this, he remained a vocal critic of the regime. In March 2023, he was released as part of a mass amnesty, and re-arrested. As of September 2023, Davoodi is released from prison.