Iran: release on bail of Mehdi Yarrahi, famous pop singer

Iranian pop singer Mehdi Yarrahi, detained since the end of August for broadcasting a song against the obligation to wear the veil, was released on bail on Tuesday, local media announced.

Iranian justice had arrested the 41-year-old artist on the orders of the Tehran prosecutor following the broadcast of a song deemed illegal because it challenged “the morals and customs of Muslim society”.

“Mr. Mehdi Yarrahi was released on bail from Evin prison in Tehran, the Shargh daily announced on its website.

The singer released the song Rousarito (“your scarf”, in Persian), as the anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini, a young Iranian Kurd who died on September 16, 2022, after her arrest by the morality police who accused her of having violated the strict dress code imposed on women.

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Hundreds of people, including dozens of members of the security forces, were killed during the protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini. Thousands of demonstrators were also arrested, accused by the authorities of participating in “riots” instigated by Western countries.

Medhi Yarrahi broadcast the song and its three-minute clip in favor of the “optional veil”, dedicating it to the “courageous Iranian women” who participated in the protest movement triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini.

He received the award for best pop singer at the Fajr festival, the country's largest musical event organized by the government. Her song Soroode Zan (“Hymn of the Woman”), released at the beginning of October, had become an anthem for demonstrators, particularly in universities.

He has repeatedly criticized the authorities in his concerts, notably for discrimination against residents of his native province of Khuzestan.