Mehdi Yarrahi's Case Sent to the Islamic Revolutionary Court

Mehdi Yarrahi's lawyer, Mustafa Nili, announced on Saturday, September 9, that his client's case has been sent to the Islamic Revolutionary Court. In a tweet, he wrote that after visiting Branch 2 of the Ershad Prosecutor's Office to study Yarrahi's case, they were informed that an indictment had been issued and the case had been sent to the Revolutionary Court. He added, "For this reason, it was not possible to study the case, and we will continue to follow up after the court branch is determined." Yarrahi was arrested on September 1, just four days after the release of his song "Take Off Your Hijab," which expresses protest against the imposition of mandatory hijab laws by the Islamic Republic. Many women and men in Iran have repeatedly shown their opposition to this law, which is a demand of the clerical government. After visiting him on September 14, Nili tweeted that his client "emphasized" that they should pursue legal action against "some officers who did not respect his rights and laws 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 in police custody. Yarrahi's arrest has sparked protests from several artists and civil activists who have voiced their opposition to his detention. Outside Iran, the American PEN Association issued a statement reacting to Yarrahi's arrest and condemned the actions of the Islamic Republic officials against him. The American PEN Association wrote that the restrictions imposed on cultural activists "remind us of the Iranian government's ongoing campaign to suppress any artistic expression that dares to challenge the status quo." They added that "the legal action against Mehdi Yarrahi represents the systematic and brutal suppression of democratic freedom of expression by the Iranian regime." Additionally, Michèle Taylor, the U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN Human Rights Council, criticized Yarrahi's arrest on September 1, calling it "an open disregard by the Iranian regime for human rights and freedom of expression." Since the protests following Mahsa Amini's death, many Iranian artists and writers have faced legal action for participating in the nationwide protests, including political rapper Tomaj Salehi, composer and rapper Saman Yasin, and actress Taraneh Alidoosti. The first court session for Mehdi Yarrahi has been held; families of the detained protesters remain uninformed. A wave of support from artists for Mehdi Yarrahi continues; Reyhaneh Parsa also published a brief statement. Mina Daris sang in Arabic in memory of Mehdi Yarrahi: "Enough of the slumber, rise up." A joint case has been filed for two detained protesters; Yarrahi's lawyer stated that his spirit is "very good." A response from a Ministry of Ershad official regarding Mehdi Yarrahi's arrest: "I cannot do anything." The U.S. Permanent Representative to the Human Rights Council stated that Yarrahi's arrest is a violation of freedom of expression. Narges Mohammadi stated that Yarrahi's song "Take Off Your Hijab" was a blow to the authoritarian religious government. A letter from Sepideh Ghalean to Mehdi Yarrahi: "I see your place in the hearts of the people." Taraneh Alidoosti supported Mehdi Yarrahi: "Protest art is the right of the artist." Nazila Maroufian was arrested with "beating and assault" by agents one day after supporting Mehdi Yarrahi.