End of House Arrest; Mehdi Yarahy Still Faces Whipping Punishment

Zahra Minewi, the lawyer of protest singer Mehdi Yarahy, announced the end of his one-year prison sentence. This lawyer stated on Saturday, December 29, that Yarahy's imprisonment, which had been under "electronic ankle monitoring," has ended, but he still faces a punishment of 74 lashes. Zahra Minewi wrote on social media platform 'X': 'Today, Saturday, December 29, 1403, the one-year prison sentence of Mr. Mehdi Yarahy (which had been converted to electronic monitoring) has ended, and he has been released.' She added: 'Currently, his punishment of 74 lashes remains, and his release on bail of 15 billion tomans is contingent upon its execution.' Mehdi Yarahy, a prominent Iranian singer, was arrested on September 6 last year by the security forces of the Islamic Republic for singing the protest song 'Rusari To' at his home. He was sentenced to 2 years and 8 months of imprisonment and 74 lashes, with one year of his prison sentence being enforceable. Yarahy performed this song in support of the 'Women, Life, Freedom' movement and in protest against the compulsory hijab law in Iran. Upon the release of this song, he stated that he dedicates it to 'the noble women of my homeland who shine on the front lines.' Yarahy's arrest received widespread attention on social media and in global media, with many artists and human rights organizations supporting him. The American PEN Association protested the issuance of the prison and whipping sentence for Mehdi Yarahy. His lawyer reported the issuance of the prison and whipping sentence for this artist. Mehdi Yarahy was released on bail. The trial of the singer 'Rusari To' was held; lawyers called for Yarahy's release on bail. A nomination proposal for Mehdi Yarahy for a Grammy Award was submitted to the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.