Prison Sentences for Three Iranian Artists Confirmed

The 54th branch of the Tehran Court of Appeals has confirmed prison sentences against Mehdi Rajabian and Yousef Emadi, a composer, and Hossein Rajabian, a filmmaker. According to reports from human rights media outlets, including Harana and the 'Human Rights in Iran' website, each of these three artists has been sentenced to three years of imprisonment and three years of suspended prison, along with a fine of 20 million tomans. The reports also indicate that the prison sentences for Mehdi and Hossein Rajabian and Yousef Emadi have been sent to the execution unit of the Evin Prison prosecutor's office. The mentioned artists had previously been tried in the 28th branch of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, presided over by Judge Moghiseh, on charges of 'insulting sacred beliefs' and 'propaganda against the regime,' and each had been sentenced to six years of imprisonment and a fine of 20 million tomans. This ruling pertains to their activities on the BargMusic website, which Mehdi Rajabian, a musician, founded to promote alternative music. According to informed sources, it was claimed in court that the three 'intended to promote disregard for sacred beliefs' by publishing underground music. However, human rights organizations such as Amnesty International have emphasized in their statements that these artists have been sentenced for their artistic activities and would be considered prisoners of conscience if imprisoned. Mehdi and Hossein Rajabian and Yousef Emadi were arrested in October 2013 and are currently free on bail of 200 million tomans each. The issuance of prison sentences against them has prompted reactions from various international organizations, including the Free Muse Association, the International PEN, the European Composers and Songwriters Association, and the European Artists Council. Last month, 165 Iranian artists, writers, and civil activists issued a statement calling for their acquittal. In this context, the objection of 165 cultural and civil figures to the judicial sentences of the three Iranian artists has led international organizations to demand their acquittal.