Widespread Reaction to the Implementation of Mahdi Yarahai's Whipping Sentence; 'Shame on Backwardness and Torture'

The implementation of the 74 lashes sentence on Mahdi Yarahai, a singer of protest songs, has sparked widespread reactions from artists and political and civil activists. Along with ordinary citizens, many prominent figures condemned the execution of this sentence. Yarahai's lawyer announced on Wednesday, March 15, that the sentence was carried out in full at the fourth branch of the Tehran Moral Security Court, and Yarahai confirmed this news hours later. The singer, who had supported the nationwide protests of 'Women, Life, Freedom' with his protest songs, thanked those who supported him and referred to the whipping sentence, stating: 'He who is not willing to pay a price for freedom does not deserve freedom.' Taraneh Alidoosti, a prominent Iranian actress who herself lost her job and was imprisoned for supporting the 'Women, Life, Freedom' movement, reacted to Yarahai's whipping by writing: 'Shame on backwardness, shame on torture, shame on violence, shame on inhumane laws, and shame and disgrace on our impotence.' Dariush Eghbali, a famous Iranian singer, shared one of his own songs on Instagram alongside Yarahai's post. In this piece, Eghbali sings: 'No arrows and daggers, no gallows and prisons, do not scare the star from the night.' Narges Mohammadi, a political prisoner and 2023 Nobel Prize winner, also posted a photo of Yarahai on her Instagram page, writing: 'The execution of Mahdi Yarahai's whipping sentence is revenge for his support of the women of Iran.' This human rights activist continued: 'The whip on Mahdi's body is a lash on the resilient women of Iran and the blossoming and powerful spirit of the 'Women, Life, Freedom' movement.' Hamed Ismailioun, a civil activist opposing the Islamic Republic, also expressed support for Yarahai on social media, writing: 'In praise of those who bear the lashes of criminals and tyrants on their weary bodies, leaving only traces of blood. In praise of those who say no and are the victors of this unequal war.' Gohar Eshghi, the mother of Sattar Beheshti, also expressed her support for Yarahai on social media, stating: 'This is the same government that has silenced the voice of the people for over forty years with force and repression, but does not understand that the voice of freedom cannot be silenced with chains and lashes.' Tomaj Salehi, a protesting rapper who has also experienced arrest and judicial sentences due to his opposition to the Islamic Republic in his songs, described the 74 lashes sentence against Yarahai as 'the Stone Age.' Mr. Salehi commented on the implementation of this sentence, saying: 'Sometimes wounds make a person stronger, but it depends on the person.' Mohsen Barahani, a lawyer and supporter of 'Women, Life, Freedom,' expressed sympathy for Yarahai and criticized the execution of this sentence, writing: 'Usually, the manner of executing a punitive lash is such that it does not involve pain but is extremely humiliating...' Mr. Barahani's statement prompted a reaction from Yarahai's lawyer: 'If you had heard the sound of the lashes on Mr. Mahdi Yarahai's body and his cry of 'Thank God,' and had seen his pained yet smiling face after the execution of the sentence, and if you knew that since yesterday he couldn't even lean his back against anything... you would never have made such a statement.' Arash Sadeghi, a political activist and former political prisoner who has faced multiple judicial and security sentences over the past two decades, posted a picture of Mahdi Yarahai on social media, writing: '74 lashes were a response to an artist who became the voice of the people and shouted their pains.' Mr. Sadeghi stated that this artist 'did not bow to coercion,' adding that the people 'will never forget who stood by them in their hardest days.' Mahdi Yarahai explained his situation and the 74 lashes sentence for the song 'Scarf' in a video posted on March 9, 2023. He mentioned the court's ruling of two years and eight months in prison, of which one year was enforceable, and stated that he had also paid a fine but did not request the cancellation of the 74 lashes sentence. Mr. Yarahai added that due to his physical condition, his prison sentence was converted to house arrest with an ankle bracelet, and 'after this period, we wanted to lift the bail, but they said it was contingent on the execution of the whipping sentence or that its status be clarified.' Yarahai also stated that he was no longer willing to try to obtain concert permits and use 'gender privilege' as a male singer and 'wants to be alongside the women of his land.' During the 'Women, Life, Freedom' protests, Mahdi Yarahai reinterpreted one of his songs, replacing 'Bring news of yourself' with 'Take off your scarf.' The widespread reception of this song led to his arrest.