More than two years after Mahsa Amini’s death in custody sparked global outrage, Iranian protest singer Mehdi Yarrahi has faced brutal retribution for his artistic defiance. The celebrated musician, known for his fearless advocacy through music, received 74 lashes this week as punishment for his song “Roo Sarito” (Your Headscarf), which he released in September 2023 to mark the one-year anniversary of the Women, Life, Freedom uprising.
Yarrahi was initially convicted in January 2024 for “acting unlawfully” by releasing the song, which openly challenged Iran’s strict dress codes for women. Sentenced to a year in prison, his punishment was later converted to electronic ankle monitoring, ending in December 2024. However, his freedom came at a harrowing price—his release bond of 15 billion tomans (approximately $1.47 million) was contingent on his flogging, an act he condemned as “inhuman torture.”
Despite the painful ordeal, Yarrahi remained defiant, posting on social media to his millions of followers: “He who is not willing to pay the price of freedom does not deserve freedom. Wishing you freedom.” His words resonated deeply with Iranians and international supporters, reigniting discussions on Iran’s draconian laws and the government’s crackdown on dissent.
The public flogging has drawn swift condemnation from activists and political figures. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi described the punishment as “revenge for [Mehdi’s] support for the women of Iran.” She called the act a direct assault on the spirit of the Women, Life, Freedom movement, which has continued to fight for gender equality and personal freedoms despite brutal suppression.
The movement, born from nationwide protests following the 2022 death of 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman Mahsa Amini in police custody, has been met with severe crackdowns. Amini’s arrest for allegedly wearing her hijab improperly led to mass demonstrations demanding an end to Iran’s oppressive laws, particularly those restricting women’s rights. In response, the Iranian government doubled down on its control, introducing a stricter hijab law in 2023 that imposed prison sentences of up to 15 years for repeated violations and 10 years for organizing protests against the law.
Despite the government’s continued repression, Iran’s political landscape is shifting. The controversial hijab law, still awaiting ratification, was paused in December 2024 following widespread international condemnation and fears of renewed unrest. Reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian, who took office after the sudden death of hardliner Ebrahim Raisi, has voiced his opposition to the legislation, though his ability to overturn it remains limited.
Meanwhile, the international community continues to monitor Iran’s human rights violations. Amnesty International recently sounded the alarm on the alarming rise in executions, revealing that at least 10 more individuals face death sentences linked to the Women, Life, Freedom protests. If carried out, these executions would double the number of protesters already executed, many of whom suffered through what human rights groups have labeled “sham trials” and severe prison torture.
Mehdi Yarrahi’s courage in the face of persecution has only amplified his voice as a symbol of resistance. His case underscores the dire state of artistic freedom and human rights in Iran, fueling calls for greater international intervention and support for those risking their lives in the fight for freedom.
As the world watches, one thing remains clear: the movement that began with Mahsa Amini’s tragic death continues to burn fiercely. And with voices like Yarrahi’s refusing to be silenced, the fight for justice and equality in Iran is far from over.
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