Mehdi Yarahai's Lawyer Reports Execution of 74 Lashes Sentence

Mehdi Yarahai's lawyer, who is known for his protest songs, announced the full execution of his client's lash sentence at the fourth branch of the Tehran Moral Security Prosecutor's Office. According to Zahra Minoui's report on X, this sentence was executed on Wednesday, March 5, 1403 (February 23, 2024). Ms. Minoui wrote that the final part of the sentences issued by Branch 26 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court against this artist, which included 74 lashes, was executed 'in full' and Mr. Yarahai's case was closed. Mehdi Yarahai, who supported the nationwide protests of 'Women, Life, Freedom' with his protest songs, explained his situation and the 74 lashes sentence related to his song 'Rousari' in a video published on March 1, 1403 (February 19, 2024). He mentioned the court's ruling of two years and eight months in prison, of which one year was enforceable, and stated that he had also paid the monetary fine but did not request the cancellation of the 74 lashes. Yarahai added that due to his health condition, his prison sentence was converted to house arrest with an ankle bracelet, and 'after this period, we wanted to lift the bail, but they said it was conditional on the execution of the lash sentence or that its status be clarified.' This artist emphasized that 'I condemned this sentence in the media and announced that I am waiting for notification, and I do not request its cancellation and am ready for execution.' During the 'Women, Life, Freedom' protests, which began with the death of Mahsa Zhina Amini in the custody of the morality police in 1401 (2022), he reinterpreted one of his songs, replacing 'Bring news of yourself' with 'Take off your scarf.' The widespread reception of this song led to his arrest. Despite the judicial pressures against him, Yarahai stated in a video he published, 'I no longer want to obtain a permit and benefit from a gender-based privilege. Now that this awareness has arisen, I will not go back, and I appreciate this and want to stand beside the women of my land.' He noted that during his nearly seven years of work prohibition, he was able to understand more than ever what the women of his country endure from the injustices imposed on them... I was able to understand more than ever that the women of my country suffer additional pain because they cannot utilize their talents due to their gender.