Mehdi Yarahee Released on Bail

One day after the trial of Mehdi Yarahee, the lawyer for this protesting singer announced his release on bail. Zahra Minewi, a lawyer, wrote on Tuesday, October 17, that "a few minutes ago, Mr. Mehdi Yarahee was released from Evin Prison after accepting the bail conditions." She also thanked the officials of the Music House for their "support" during this time. Mehdi Yarahee, a protesting singer, was arrested four days after the release of his song "Roosarito" on August 28, with accusations that state media described as "the release of an illegal song contrary to the morals and customs of Islamic society." This protesting artist had tweeted before his arrest, after a judicial case was opened against him for releasing the song "Roosarito," using the hashtag "Women, Life, Freedom," stating, "Don’t cry, I am the nightmare of this judge." Yarahee emphasized that "we should be the voice of Izeh and continuously talk about the anniversary of Mahsa Amini's murder." On Monday, a court session regarding Yarahee's charges was held in Branch 26 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Tehran, after which his lawyer Zahra Minewi stated that according to the indictment, the charges against him included "encouraging corruption and prostitution, producing and distributing content contrary to public morals and decency, inciting and provoking individuals to commit immoral crimes, and propaganda against the regime." Additionally, Kati Amiri Younesi, a lawyer, had previously told Voice of America that Mehdi Yarahee's song "Roosarito" was nominated for the Grammy Award for "Best Song for Social Change."