An Iranian court has reportedly sentenced singer Parastoo Ahmadi and eight members of her production team to 74 lashes each over a 2024 concert performance streamed online without the mandatory hijab.
According to court documents cited by international media, the artists were also barred from leaving Iran and prohibited from engaging in artistic activities for two years. Authorities accused them of violating public decency laws through the production and publication of what was described as “immoral” online content.
The ruling stems from a December 2024 performance that went viral after Ahmadi appeared without a hijab while singing a patriotic song during a livestream on YouTube. She and several musicians were briefly detained following the event before being released.
Although Iran’s official judiciary news agency has not publicly announced the ruling, human rights groups and legal advocates say the case reflects a broader pattern of legal action against artists and public figures who challenge government restrictions.
Rights organisations and lawyers have condemned the sentence, arguing that singing and performing music are not criminal offences under Iranian law and describing corporal punishment such as flogging as a violation of human rights and human dignity.
The case has drawn criticism from activists and members of the Iranian artistic community, who say it highlights continuing restrictions on freedom of expression and women’s rights in the country.
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