Iranian artists and activists condemn flogging of dissident singer

Iranian artists, activists, and public figures condemned the execution of a 74-lash sentence against singer Mehdi Yarrahi, denouncing it as a sign of deepening repression.

Yarrahi was sentenced after performing the protest song Rousarito (Take Off Your Headscarf). He confirmed through his lawyer that the punishment had been carried out and expressed defiance in response, following news that his case had finally been closed.

Writing on X, he said: “He who is unwilling to pay a price for freedom is unworthy of it.” He later added: “You have taken glass to break our stone.”

Renowned actress Taraneh Alidoosti shared a photo of Yarrahi in an Instagram story, writing: “Shame on fanaticism, shame on torture, shame on violence, shame on inhumane laws, and shame on our helplessness.”

Labor activist Esmail Bakhshi called the flogging “a whip striking the entire body of art and all art lovers in this land [Iran]," as hundreds of artists and entertainment stars continue to be victims of the state crackdown on dissent.

The singer gained prominence for his support of the 2022 popular protests, ignited by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in custody of hijab police.

His case has drawn renewed attention to the targeting of artists in Iran. Other musicians, including Toomaj Salehi and Saman Yasin, were imprisoned for supporting the protests, though both have since been released.

Many high level figures in the likes of sports and entertainment have been given punishments from jail time to travel bans, fines and work bans.

It was not only in Iran that solidarity message flooded the internet. In Canada, Iranian dissident Hamed Esmaeilion wrote: “In praise of those whose weary bodies bear the bloody marks of the whips of criminals and tyrants.”

US-based Singer Dariush Eghbali also reacted, posting Yarrahi’s image alongside a verse from his song: "Neither bullets nor daggers, neither gallows nor prison; Don’t frighten the stars away from the night."

Ahmad Zeidabadi, a Tehran-based commentator with ties to the Reformist camp, criticized the justification behind the sentence, writing: “Woe to that form of religiosity that remains trapped in history and does not modernize itself!”

In contravention of international laws on torture, Iran continues its policy of flogging, which along with death sentences, has increased in the wake of the 2022 uprising, according to rights groups.