Widespread Domestic and International Reactions to the Arrest of Mehdi Yarahee; Those Who Stand with Their People Are Not Alone

The arrest of Mehdi Yarahee and the publication of his arrest images by government media have sparked a wave of negative reactions from the public, artists, and artistic institutions both inside and outside Iran. The American PEN Association on September 7 described Yarahee's arrest as indicative of the 'brutal suppression of freedom of expression by the Iranian regime' and stated that the restrictions imposed on cultural activists 'recall the ongoing campaign of the Iranian government to suppress any artistic expression that dares to challenge the status quo.' The famous Iranian singer Abi also reposted Yarahee's latest song 'Rusari To,' which supports the protesting women of Iran 'that led to his arrest,' on his Instagram page, writing: 'Dear Mehdi Yarahee, how beautifully you sang of freedom, how beautifully you composed for the women of Iran. I am sorry that our Iran today has no place for beautiful singing and composing.' Mohsen Chavoshi, a singer from Khuzestan residing in Iran, reacted to the arrest of his compatriot on Instagram, stating: 'The image you are circulating of the so-called arrest of the honorable son of Khuzestan and Iran is a strong document of the oppression of Khuzestan and its children, who are more than eighty million. I know Mehdi for his honor, pure heart, and genuine concern, and I strongly condemn such treatment of a first-class artist who pays the price for his ideals and beliefs.' Ali Karimi, former captain of the Iranian national football team, also supported Yarahee on social media by reposting the song 'Rusari To' and writing: 'Take off your scarf.' An account attributed to Tomaj Salehi on the social media platform 'X' also urged people to be the voice of Mr. Yarahee, stating: 'Let us be the voice of Mehdi Yarahee, a popular artist who has become a nightmare for this regime with his freedom-seeking songs.' Zainab Zaman, a women's activist and daughter of Hossein Zaman, a late singer and critic of the Islamic Republic, wrote on her 'X' account: 'We have recorded his image in our memory, in our hearts, and in history. Noble in front of the people, with courage and clenched fists against oppression.' Mohsen Barahani, a law professor at Tehran University, who has been enlightening the public about the behavior of government agents and the sentences issued against protesters since the beginning of the nationwide protests in Iran, reacted to the arrest and the publication of Yarahee's arrest images, stating: 'The publisher of Mehdi Yarahee's photo is guilty under Article 91 of the Criminal Procedure Code; the crime of disclosing professional secrets.' He added: 'What exactly is Mr. Yarahee's crime that justifies his arrest without summons? Is it possible that the law respecting legitimate freedoms and preserving citizens' rights has been repealed and we are unaware of it?' Political activist Hossein Ronaghi also reposted the same image of Mehdi Yarahee with clenched fists, writing: 'I am posting this image of Mehdi here so you know that someone who stands with his people is not alone; we are with him and alongside him.' He also referred to the publication of Yarahee's arrest images, stating: 'The publication of images, names, etc., of any accused person before the issuance of a final court ruling is prohibited and contrary to your own ridiculous laws.' Yashar Soltani, a political activist, condemned the publication of images from the moment of Mehdi Yarahee's arrest, writing: 'For a media outlet to become an agent of the security forces and publish images of an individual's arrest taken from a specific angle, regardless of whether it is legal or not, brings nothing but disgrace and humiliation to that media outlet. However, the image that has been created of Mehdi Yarahee in public opinion will not be tarnished by these antics.' Kamelia Sajadian, the mother of Mohammad Hassan Torkman, a young man killed in the protests in Babol, also wrote on her Instagram page: 'I remember he told me, 'Mother, my blood is no redder than Mohammad Hassan's blood; he told me I will stand by my beliefs and ideals; nothing diminishes your manhood and honor. I remember he called me, mother, and I still feel proud of you; someone who loved your voice and songs, we love you.' Nazila Maroufian, Mona Barzoui, and Arash Sadeghi are also among other political, artistic, and social activists who condemned Mehdi Yarahee's arrest and expressed solidarity with him. Mehdi Yarahee was arrested last Friday following the release of a protest song titled 'Rusari To Darbiar.' This song expresses opposition to the imposition of mandatory hijab laws by the Islamic Republic. Many women and men in Iran, especially over the past year, have shown their opposition to this law. However, the government has not backed down from its position and, with the approval of a new law known as 'Hijab and Chastity' in parliament, intends to impose further restrictions on women and men regarding voluntary hijab.