PEN America Calls Mahdi Yarahai's Arrest a Reflection of Iran's 'Brutal Suppression of Free Speech'

PEN America issued a statement reacting to the arrest of Mahdi Yarahai, a protesting singer, condemning the Islamic Republic's treatment of him. Yarahai was arrested last Friday following the release of a protest song titled 'Take Off Your Hijab,' which expresses dissent against the mandatory hijab law imposed 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. In its statement, PEN America called for Yarahai's immediate release and the dropping of all charges against him. According to PEN America, the news of Yarahai's arrest coincided with a statement from Islamic Republic officials that 'cultural activists' acting 'against national interests' – including women artists and actors who remove their hijabs – would not be allowed to operate in the country. PEN America stated that the bans against cultural activists are 'reminiscent of the Iranian government's ongoing campaign to suppress any artistic expression that dares to challenge the status quo.' They also said that 'the legal action against Mahdi Yarahai represents the systematic and brutal suppression of democratic free speech by the Iranian regime.' Julie Turbo, director of the Artists at Risk section, expressed solidarity with Iranian artists and cultural activists defending fundamental rights and freedoms, calling for all charges against Yarahai to be dropped. Yarahai's arrest is the latest case in a series of crackdowns by the Islamic Republic of Iran ahead of the first anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death in 'morality police' custody. PEN America's statement also referenced names such as Saeed Roustayi, an Iranian filmmaker sentenced to six months in prison for screening the film 'Brothers Leila,' and actresses Leila Bolukat and Afsaneh Bayegan, who were banned from acting for not adhering to the mandatory hijab in public. Since the protests following Mahsa Amini's death, many Iranian artists and writers have faced legal action for participating in nationwide protests, including political rapper Tomaj Salehi and actress Taraneh Alidoosti. According to PEN America, Iran is now the world's largest jailer of women writers. Mahdi Yarahai's lawyer stated they have no news of his arrest, and the publication of his arrest photo is 'illegal.' Yarahai's song 'Take Off Your Hijab' continues to resonate as the anniversary of Mahsa Amini's 'murder' approaches.