Judiciary Spokesperson Announces Charges Against Mahdi Yarahy for 'Public Morality Violations'

The spokesperson for the judiciary explained the situation of Mahdi Yarahy following his arrest, stating that a case has been opened against him in the Tehran prosecutor's office, with charges of 'disturbing public opinion and producing and distributing films contrary to public morality.' Masoud Setayesh emphasized that Yarahy's case has been sent to court after the charges were explained and preliminary investigations were conducted, and he is currently in prison under a 'temporary detention' order. Mahdi Yarahy was arrested on September 6, just four days after the release of his song 'Take Off Your Hijab,' by order of the Tehran prosecutor. Yarahy's lawyer, Mostafa Nili, reported on Saturday, September 18, that his client's case has been sent to the Islamic Revolutionary Court. Nili tweeted that after visiting the second branch of the prosecutor's office to review Yarahy's case, they informed him that an indictment had been issued and the case was sent to the Revolutionary Court. After meeting with him on September 14, Nili tweeted that his client 'emphasized' the need to pursue legal action against 'some officials who did not respect his rights and the law during his arrest.' He did not provide further details but added that 'physically, his skin has become inflamed, and he has pain in his right ear, which is being treated by the Evin medical staff.' Nili also mentioned that 'in our conversation, his spirits were very good.' This protesting artist has released works such as 'Women's Anthem,' 'Enough of the 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. Yarahy's arrest has led to protests from several artists and civil activists, who have voiced their objections to his detention. Outside of Iran, the American PEN Association issued a statement reacting to Yarahy's arrest, condemning the actions of the Iranian authorities against him. The American PEN Association stated that the restrictions imposed on cultural activists 'remind us of the ongoing campaign by the Iranian government to suppress any artistic expression that dares to challenge the status quo.' They added that 'the legal action against Mahdi Yarahy represents systematic and brutal repression of democratic freedom of expression by the Iranian regime.' Additionally, Michelle Taylor, the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations Human Rights Council, criticized Yarahy's arrest on September 10, deeming it 'an outright disregard by the Iranian regime for human rights and freedom of expression.'