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Iranwire – Iranian singer Mehdi Yarrahi’s case has been sent to Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran, his lawyer says, adding that the date for the court hearing has not been announced yet.
The lawyer, Mostafa Nili, said on September 19 that Yarrahi is accused of “propaganda activities” against the Islamic Republic,” “inciting corruption,” “producing and publishing content against public morality and decency” and “encouraging others” to commit crimes.
Yarrahi was arrested on August 28 following the release of his song Roosarito, or Your Headscarf in English, which encourages women to remove their mandatory headscarves.
The song was accompanied by a video showing women in various social settings without their hijab, some dancing to the music.
Yarrahi dedicated the song to the “brave women of Iran who shine courageously at the forefront of the ‘Women Life Freedom’ movement,’” a reference to the monthslong nationwide protests sparked by the September 2022 death of Mahsa Amini while she was in police custody for an alleged hijab violation.
As a protest against Yarrahi’s arrest, Iranian social media users posted and shared videos of their own dance performances and renditions of his songs.
Artists, political activists and journalists have also rallied behind the singer since his jailing.
A growing number of women refusing to wear a head covering have been arrested and prosecuted, while dozens of businesses have been closed for failing to enforce compulsory hijab rules for women visitors.
