International Backlash to Arrest of Mehdi Rajabian, Iranian Composer, Accused of Collaborating with Female Artists

The summons and detention of Mehdi Rajabian, a young Iranian instrumentalist, composer, and musician, due to his collaboration with female artists on his musical projects has received significant international media coverage.

In recent days, various articles have been published in Fox News, ABC, Newsweek, Daily Mail, and BBC World Service, with these news outlets examining the issue from different angles.

Mehdi Rajabian was summoned to the Sari branch of the Islamic Revolution Prosecutor’s Office and after interrogation, was ultimately arrested on charges of using women’s dance in his album “People of the Middle East” and collaborating with female singers on his new album.

The 30-year-old artist was released after several hours of detention upon posting bail and is awaiting the setting of a trial date and court appearance.

Under Islamic Republic of Iran law, women’s dance and solo singing are prohibited, and violators are dealt with severely.

This comes at a time when these restrictions in Iran have increased in recent years, with restrictions even extending to preventing female singers from performing in musical groups or female instrumentalists from performing in public concerts.

Mehdi Rajabian has described details of his legal proceedings and interrogation in interviews with international media outlets. According to the artist, the judge in his case told him that his works “promote corruption and obscenity” in society.

The album “People of the Middle East,” released in 2019 by Sony, is a collection produced by Mehdi Rajabian in collaboration with a number of Iranian and non-Iranian artists.

“People of the Middle East” won the silver medal at the Global Music Awards last year, which is considered a significant achievement in this artistic field.

This young artist, who according to Iranian authorities was imprisoned for two years on charges of “political activity and propaganda against the Islamic Republic,” wrote the songs for “People of the Middle East” during his imprisonment.

Despite being banned from work after his conditional release from prison, he secretly produced this album.

“People of the Middle East” was shaped with a message of peace and freedom, and artists from 12 countries around the world who collaborated with Mehdi Rajabian on this album used music to oppose war and defend human rights.

Although some time has passed since the album’s release, Sony has recently made it available online for interested listeners.

One of the music videos from this album featuring Helia Bande, a young Iranian dancer and choreographer artist, generated significant reactions on social media. These videos, which were also referenced during interrogations, are considered among the main charges against Mehdi Rajabian.

Helia Bande, who herself faced many difficulties in the past and was forced to leave Iran with her family, beautifully presents her artistic interpretation of this musical piece through dance and rhythmic movements in the video.

Meanwhile, Mehdi Rajabian is producing a new album in collaboration with a number of female artists residing in Middle Eastern countries, and it appears that Iranian Islamic Republic authorities intend to prevent the completion of this artistic project and have seriously banned him from any musical activity.

However, this young Iranian artist has repeatedly stated in media interviews that he fights for musical freedom, creates his works however he wishes without self-censorship, and is not afraid of imprisonment.

Source: Voice of America