Iranian Musician Flogged for Supporting Women's Rights Amid Crackdown

Following the release of a song supporting women rejecting the hijab in Iran, musician Mehdi Yarrahi was sentenced to 74 lashes in a move seen as an attempt to intimidate dissenting voices, underscoring the harsh realities faced by artists under authoritarian rule.

In a shocking display of state repression, popular Iranian musician Mehdi Yarrahi has been sentenced to 74 lashes after voicing support for women opposing the mandatory hijab. His arrest was part of a broader crackdown on artists and intellectuals as authorities sought to suppress commemorative protests marking the anniversary of a significant uprising in 2022, sparked by the tragic death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman detained for violating hijab laws.

Yarrahi, 43, faced the severe punishment delivered by the Morality Security Prosecutor’s Office in Tehran, with reports from his lawyer Zahra Minuei indicating that he has suffered both physical pain and humiliation. In a poignant message posted on social media, he reiterated his belief that “freedom has a price” and conveyed his hopes for liberation in Iran.

His legal counsel, Mostafa Nili, reported that the punishment inflicted made it exceedingly difficult for Yarrahi to sit or even lean back. The United Nations has condemned such forms of corporal punishment, labeling them as inhumane and degrading. This incident raised questions about the treatment of Iranian artists, particularly as the global community celebrated the recent Oscar wins of two Iranian directors.

Amidst this turmoil, social media users have expressed their outrage, noting the contrast between the international recognition given to Iranian artists and their persecution at home. Yarrahi's plight encapsulates the fraught landscape for creatives in Iran, where the government continues to wield power over personal freedoms and expressions of dissent.