Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmadi’s 74-lash sentence has been upheld on appeal after her widely viewed performance without the mandatory hijab…reports Asian Lite News Desk
An Iranian appeals court has upheld a sentence of 74 lashes against singer Parastoo Ahmadi after she performed without the mandatory hijab, the BBC reported.
Ahmadi, 29, drew widespread attention in December 2024 when she performed in a sleeveless dress during a concert livestreamed on YouTube. The performance attracted millions of views and prompted Iran’s judiciary to open proceedings against her.
Iranian authorities said the performance breached the country’s “legal and cultural regulations”. Women in Iran are required to wear the hijab and modest clothing in public, while regulations also restrict women from performing publicly.
A criminal court in Qom reportedly convicted Ahmadi in June, along with eight members of her band and production team. They were found guilty of offences including “offending public decency” through the publication of material described by authorities as obscene and indecent.
Alongside the 74 lashes, Ahmadi and the other defendants were reportedly banned from audiovisual activities and prevented from leaving Iran for two years.
Their lawyers said on Friday that an appeals court had rejected their challenge without holding a hearing, the BBC reported.
The sentence has prompted criticism from Iranian artists and human rights groups. Exiled Iranian singer Googoosh previously called for women to regain the freedom to choose how they live and dress, while musician Hossein Alizadeh said he was willing to take the lashes in Ahmadi’s place.
Amnesty International has also condemned the use of flogging in Iran, describing it as cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment and a violation of the prohibition on torture and other ill-treatment.
The case comes amid continuing tensions over Iran’s enforcement of compulsory hijab rules. In January 2024, Kurdish-Iranian activist Roya Heshmati was subjected to 74 lashes after being convicted of violating public morals over a social media photograph showing her without a hijab.
Compulsory hijab enforcement has faced growing opposition since nationwide protests followed the September 2022 death in custody of 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman Mahsa Amini, who had been detained by morality police over allegations that she was improperly wearing her hijab.
