Iranian Artists Condemn Flogging of Singer Mehdi Yarrahi

Hundreds of Iranian artists have signed a statement condemning the flogging sentence carried out against singer Mehdi Yarrahi, describing the punishment as “cruel and medieval.”

The statement, obtained by IranWire, includes signatures from prominent artists Toomaj Salehi, Jafar Panahi, Mohammad Rasoulof, and Hana Kamkar.

“Mehdi Yarrahi, an honorable artist of Iranian music who has always embraced people’s pain, deserves the highest honors, not a cruel punishment like flogging,” the statement reads.

The artists added that “authorities’ disrespect toward popular artists, women in music, and independent artists in Iran is increasing”and warned of the social and cultural consequences of such actions.

“Authoritarians cannot tolerate even the gentle language of art and attempt to silence protest through summons, threats, work bans, imprisonment, and ankle monitors,” the artists said.

Yarrahi’s lawyer confirmed on March 6 that his client received 74 lashes at the Tehran Moral Security Prosecutor’s Office.

The singer, who supported the Woman, Life, Freedom protests through his music, later wrote, “Those who are not willing to pay a price for freedom do not deserve freedom.”