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Mehdi Yarrahi, a renowned Iranian protest singer, was subjected to 74 lashes by the Iranian judiciary in a blatant violation of human rights and an attempt to silence voices advocating for freedom and justice in Iran.
According [[link removed]] to his lawyer, Zahra Minouei, the sentence was carried out in full on March 5, 2025 (Esfand 15, 1403) by the 4th Branch of the Moral Security Court in Tehran. The flogging marks the final ruling against Yarrahi issued by the 26th Branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Court, closing another high profile case of the Iranian government’s growing pattern of repression of prominent voices of dissent.
Born in Ahvaz in November 1981, Mehdi Yarrahi’s journey as an artist and activist has been deeply intertwined with Iran’s social and political landscape. Initially drawn to music through Quranic recitations and school choirs, he later became a self-taught guitarist and pianist. Despite facing state-imposed restrictions early in his career, he emerged as a popular composer and performer, collaborating with renowned Iranian artists.
His music, however, has frequently come under scrutiny from Iranian authorities. His 2014 song “ Azan [[link removed]] ”, a unique musical rendition of the Islamic call to prayer, gained international recognition despite being restricted in Iran. Yarrahi’s transformation from a pop sensation to a civil society activist became more pronounced as he addressed pressing issues such as environmental crises, workers’ rights, and government corruption. His song “ Khak [[link removed]] ”, protesting environmental degradation, and his symbolic act of wearing a mask during a concert to highlight air pollution in Ahvaz, drew government scrutiny.
Yarrahi’s boldest stance came with his support for the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement, which emerged after the killing of Mahsa (Jina) Amini by Iran’s morality police in 2022. His song “ Rosari [[link removed]] ” (Scarf) became an anthem of defiance after he modified the lyrics of his earlier work, replacing “Bring news from yourself” with “Take off your scarf.” The song was met with overwhelming public support, leading to his arrest and judicial persecution.
Despite immense pressure from authorities, Yarrahi refused to renounce his activism or seek leniency for his sentence. In a video statement released on February 28, 2025 (Esfand 9, 1403), he confirmed his punishment of two years and eight months in prison, of which one year was enforceable. His prison term was later commuted to house arrest with an ankle monitor due to medical reasons. However, his fines and lashes were non-negotiable, and the Iranian authorities conditioned his bail release on the completion of the flogging sentence.
Yarrahi’s defiance and willingness to endure such brutal treatment underscore his unwavering solidarity with Iranian women and the oppressed. As he stated, “I have condemned this ruling in the media and have not requested a pardon. I am ready for it to be carried out.” His courageous stand highlights the Iranian government’s increasing use of corporal punishment and intimidation to silence those who challenge its authoritarian rule.
The Iranian government has long used flogging, imprisonment, and execution to suppress dissent. Yarrahi’s punishment is a continuation of this systematic repression, demonstrating that authorities view artistic expression as a political threat. His case echoes the plight of many other Iranian artists, journalists, and activists who have been imprisoned, tortured, or forced into exile for speaking against state-imposed injustices.
The implementation of Yarrahi’s flogging sentence is not just a violation of international human rights standards, but also Iran’s own obligations under treaties such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which explicitly prohibits cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. The Iranian authorities’ actions violate fundamental principles of freedom of expression, artistic rights, and bodily integrity.
Yarrahi’s case serves as a stark reminder that the battle for human rights in Iran is far from over. As the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement and continued resistance has shown, the Iranian people’s resilience cannot be broken by fear.
NIAC strongly condemns the Iranian government’s brutal use of flogging as a tool of repression. The Iranian authorities must end their suppression of artists, activists, and dissenting voices and respect their international human rights obligations. The lashing of Mehdi Yarrahi is an unacceptable violation and we call on the Iranian government to cease these cruel practices and uphold the fundamental rights of its people.
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This is an email from the National Iranian American Council (NIAC). NIAC's Human Rights Tracker [[link removed]] is part of our efforts to spotlight human rights in Iran as a means of holding the Iranian government accountable. As an American organization, we don't have a role to play in the domestic affairs of Iran. But we do have an obligation to support international human rights standards to which the U.S. and Iran are party.
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