The flogging of singer Mehdi Yarahi, known for his protest songs, has sparked widespread reactions

 

Iranian singer flogged in "revenge for supporting women and protests" angers opponents

The flogging of singer Mehdi Yarahi, known for his protest songs, has sparked widespread reactions from artists, political activists and civil society. In addition to ordinary citizens, many prominent figures have condemned the execution of the sentence. On Wednesday, March 5, Mehdi Yarahi's lawyer announced that the flogging sentence "in full" (74 lashes) had been carried out for her client at the Fourth Branch of the Implementation of Sentences of the Prosecution for Moral Security in Tehran, and Yarahi confirmed this hours later.

It is noteworthy that this singer, who accompanied the widespread popular demonstrations "Woman, Life, Freedom" with his protest songs, thanked those who supported him, and wrote: "He who does not want to pay the price of freedom does not deserve it." On Wednesday, March 5, the famous Iranian singer Dariush Eghbali reposted a song of his on "Instagram" with a post in support of this protesting singer. Dariush Eghbali sang in this song: "No bullets, no daggers, no prison, no gallows, do not be afraid of the night."

For her part, Narges Mohammadi, the detained political activist and 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, posted a photo of the singer on her Instagram page and wrote: “The execution of the flogging sentence against Mehdi Yarahi is revenge for his support for Iranian women.” The human rights activist added: “The flogging of Mehdi’s body is a whip on the bodies of the brave, resistant women of Iran, and on the strong, flourishing spirit of the Women’s, Life, Freedom movement.”

Hamed Esmaeilion, a civil activist opposed to the Iranian regime, wrote on the “X” platform yesterday, Wednesday, in support of Mehdi Yarahi: “In praise of those who bear on their tired bodies the marks of the whips of criminals and tyrants. In praise of those who say (no) and are the victors in this unequal war.”

Gohar Eshghi, the mother of Sattar Beheshti, one of the victims of the popular protests, announced her support for Mehdi Yarahi on social media, saying: “This is the same regime that has been suppressing the voice of the people by force for more than forty years, but does not understand that the voice of freedom cannot be silenced with chains and whips.”

Toomaj Salehi, a protesting rapper who has also faced arrest and court rulings for his opposition to the Iranian regime in his songs, described the 74-lash sentence against Mehdi Yarahi as being “back to the Stone Age.” Salehi said of the sentence: “Sometimes wounds make us stronger, but it depends on the person.”

Arash Sadeghi, a political activist and former political prisoner who has also faced numerous court and security rulings over the past two decades, wrote on the “X” platform with a photo of Mehdi Yarahi: “74 lashes were a response to an artist who became the voice of the people and cried out their pain.” Sadeghi added that this artist “did not submit to oppression,” stressing that the people “will never forget those who stood by them in the most difficult days.” In a video published on February 27, Mehdi Yarahi explained his circumstances and the 74-lash sentence in the “Wishah” song case.

He referred to the court’s sentence of two years and eight months in prison, with the possibility of serving only one year, and he paid the fine, but he did not request that the flogging sentence be cancelled. Yarahi added that due to his health condition, the prison sentence was converted to house arrest with an electronic bracelet. He said: “After this period ended, we wanted to raise the bail, but they told us that this was conditional on serving the flogging sentence or clarifying his fate.”

Yarahi also said that he no longer wanted to obtain concert licenses or use “privileges” as a male singer, adding: “I want to be with the women of my country.” During the “Women, Life, Freedom” protests, Mehdi Yarahi had sung one of his songs again, replacing the lyrics “Tell me about yourself” with “Take off your scarf.” The wide reception of this song led to his arrest.