Joint Case for Two Detained Protesters; Yahrahi's Lawyer: His Spirit is 'Very Good'

Judicial officials of the Islamic Republic have informed Amir Hossein Balali's lawyer, the detained political activist, that his case is 'joint' with Mehdi Yahrahi's and will be processed 'together'. Yahrahi's lawyer, Mustafa Neyli, after meeting with the detained singer on Tuesday, September 14, described his spirit as 'very good' and stated that he intends to legally pursue the violation of 'law and citizens' rights' during his detention at the request of his client. Neyli announced in several tweets that, by order of the deputy prosecutor of the second branch of the 38th district prosecutor's office, he was able to meet with his client 'in Evin prison' on Tuesday. According to him, Mehdi Yahrahi was held for 'two days in the security police detention center' after his arrest and was 'transferred to Evin prison quarantine' last Wednesday. Neyli noted that 'in our conversation, his spirit was very good', adding: 'Physically, his skin has become inflamed, and he has pain in his right ear, which is being treated by Evin's medical staff.' The defense lawyer emphasized that he has not yet been able to study his client's case, and for this reason, he cannot specify the 'exact charges', but expressed hope that he would be able to review the case next Saturday. Neyli added that his client 'emphasized' that they should legally pursue 'some of the agents who violated his rights and the law during his arrest'. Meanwhile, Saeed Khalili, Amir Hossein Balali's lawyer, who was arrested on September 7 in Tehran, tweeted that 'a week after his detention', 'the family has still not been allowed to visit him'. According to Balali's lawyer, despite his 'repeated visits' to the prosecutor's office and 'his request from inside the prison', judicial officials have still not granted 'permission for a visit and to sign a power of attorney'. Khalili also stated that the reason for his client's arrest and charges are 'unclear', and 'they only said' that his case is joint with Mehdi Yahrahi's. Mehdi Yahrahi, the protesting singer, was arrested on September 6, just four days after the release of his song 'Rusarit'. This protesting artist published works such as 'Women's Anthem', 'Enough Cage', and 'Anthem of Life' in support of the nationwide protests in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini while in the custody of the morality police. Numerous artists and civil activists have protested Yahrahi's detention in recent days. Amir Hossein Balali, a former student activist and co-founder of the cultural and artistic institute 'Rash', was also arrested on September 6 at his home. He was the political secretary of the Islamic Association of Amir Kabir University from 1999 to 2001 and has focused on information technology in recent years. Balali also pursues cultural and artistic activities at the 'Rash' institute. Previously, Abram Paley, the U.S. Special Envoy for Iran, described Mehdi Yahrahi's arrest as an attempt by the Iranian government to 'silence the voice of the Iranian people'. Paley continued his message by urging the 'Iranian regime' to end the crackdowns and listen to its citizens' voices. Additionally, the U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations Human Rights Council criticized the arrest of Mehdi Yahrahi, calling it a violation of human rights and freedom of expression. Michelle Taylor on Friday, September 10, described the arrest of this protesting singer as 'an obvious disregard by the Iranian regime for human rights and freedom of expression' and cited the Islamic Republic's treatment of Mehdi Yahrahi as further evidence of Iran's unsuitability to assume the presidency of the human rights body within the United Nations. The Islamic Republic was appointed a few months ago to the presidency of the Social Assembly of the UN Human Rights Council. This appointment faced negative reactions from human rights organizations and opposition from the United States.