Iranian singer flogged 74 times over hijab protest song

Iranian singer Mehdi Yarrahi was flogged 74 times as punishment for supporting the widespread protests in Iran against the hijab, which were partly inspired by his song during the 'Woman, Life, Freedom' movement, according to his lawyer.

Through his song, he advocated for women's freedom to choose whether to wear the hijab.

Yarrahi, 42, was arrested in August 2023 and sentenced by the Revolutionary Court to two years and eight months in prison, along with 74 lashes.

The verdict was “fully and completely implemented,” said his counsel, Zahra Minoui, on X.

Yarrahi was punished for “releasing an illegal song that is against the morals and custom of the Islamic society,” reported state-based news agency IRNA in 2023. 

The singer was apprehended four days after releasing his famous song “Roosarito,” which translates as “your headscarf.” The song includes the lyrics, “Take off your scarf, the sun is sinking, take off your scarf, let your hair flow.” 

Read: Iranian Singer Parastoo Ahmadi arrested for performing without Hijab in virtual concert

“Don’t be afraid, my love! Laugh, protest against tears,” CNN shared translated lyrics.

A month after Yarrahi’s arrest, Iran witnessed a nationwide protest to commemorate the first anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died in the custody of Iran’s morality police after being arrested over not wearing a head scarf properly.

In 2015, two Iranian poets were sentenced to 99 lashes each for the 'crime' of shaking hands with members of the opposite sex. Additionally, they received prison terms for allegedly 'insulting the sacred' through their writings, sparking outrage among free speech advocates.