Iranian Singer Mehdi Yarrahi Flogged 74 Times For Supporting Protests

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Mehdi Yarrahi, an Iranian singer known for his song encouraging women to remove their hijabs, has been subjected to 74 lashes as part of his punishment for supporting protests against Iran’s mandatory hijab laws, his lawyer confirmed.

His attorney, Zahra Minoui, stated that the punishment was "fully and completely implemented." Yarrahi, 42, was arrested in August 2023 and sentenced to two years and eight months in prison, along with a fine and flogging. After serving one year, he was released but still faced the brutal lashing.

Punished for Music and Expression

Yarrahi was accused of releasing an "illegal song" that violated the moral codes of Islamic society. His song Roosarito (Farsi for "Your Headscarf") became an anthem for resistance, with lyrics urging women to let their hair flow freely.

The song’s release came amid a growing movement against Iran’s strict dress codes. A month after Yarrahi’s arrest, nationwide protests erupted on the anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death—a young woman who died in custody after being arrested by Iran’s morality police for allegedly not wearing her hijab properly.

Harsh Crackdown on Dissent

Iranian authorities have intensified their crackdown on those defying compulsory veiling laws. In December, Amnesty International reported that officials were threatening protesters with severe penalties, including the death penalty, flogging, and long prison sentences.

Artists and intellectuals have not been spared. Acclaimed filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof was sentenced to eight years in prison and flogging in 2023 for alleged national security offenses. In 2015, two Iranian poets received 99 lashes each for shaking hands with members of the opposite sex.

Global Outrage Over Repressive Tactics

The punishment of Yarrahi has drawn renewed attention to Iran’s harsh enforcement of its laws and the broader suppression of free expression. Human rights organizations continue to call for international pressure to halt such brutal penalties against artists, activists, and ordinary citizens advocating for basic freedoms.

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