Iran court upholds flogging sentence for singer who performed without hijab
An Iranian appeals court has upheld a sentence of 74 lashes against 29-year-old singer Parastoo Ahmadi for performing without a mandatory hijab during a livestreamed concert. Ahmadi and her band members were convicted of offending public decency by producing and publishing obscene and immoral content on cyberspace platforms. Alongside the flogging sentence, the court imposed a two-year travel ban and a two-year ban on audiovisual activities. The ruling is final and enforceable, delivered without a court hearing. Rights groups have condemned the punishment as a form of torture amid an ongoing crackdown on women flouting hijab laws.
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- ✓ An Iranian appeals court upheld a 74-lash sentence for singer Parastoo Ahmadi after she performed without a mandatory hijab.
- ✓ Ahmadi was convicted of offending public decency and producing obscene content on cyberspace platforms.
- ✓ Ahmadi and her band members were also sentenced to a two-year travel ban and a two-year ban on audiovisual activities.
- ✓ The December 2024 concert was livestreamed on YouTube and drew millions of views.
What changed
An Iranian appeals court rejected the musician's appeal and declared the 74-lash sentence final and enforceable.
Live updates
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Iran Court Upholds Flogging Sentence for Singer Parastoo Ahmadi
An Iranian appeals court has upheld a sentence of 74 lashes against 29-year-old singer Parastoo Ahmadi for performing without a mandatory hijab during a livestreamed concert. Ahmadi and her band members were convicted of offending public decency by producing and publishing obscene and immoral content on cyberspace platforms. Alongside the flogging sentence, the court imposed a two-year travel ban and a two-year ban on audiovisual activities. The ruling is final and enforceable, delivered without a court hearing. Rights groups have condemned the punishment as a form of torture amid an ongoing crackdown on women flouting hijab laws.
Why it matters
The case stems from a December 2024 livestreamed concert on YouTube where Ahmadi performed wearing a sleeveless dress and without a veil, drawing millions of views online. Iranian authorities have intensified enforcement against women and artists challenging strict Islamic dress codes following widespread anti-government protests. The judiciary continues to rely on severe penalties, including corporal punishment and professional bans, to suppress public displays of non-compliance.
What is confirmed
- An Iranian appeals court upheld a 74-lash sentence for singer Parastoo Ahmadi after she performed without a mandatory hijab.
- Ahmadi was convicted of offending public decency and producing obscene content on cyberspace platforms.
- Ahmadi and her band members were also sentenced to a two-year travel ban and a two-year ban on audiovisual activities.
- The December 2024 concert was livestreamed on YouTube and drew millions of views.
What to watch next
- Execution of the 74-lash sentence against Parastoo Ahmadi and her band members
- Further international or human rights organization responses to the final ruling
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (13)
- BBC — Iran court upholds flogging sentence for singer who performed without hijab
- The Jerusalem Post — Iran court upholds 74-lash sentence for singer Parastoo Ahmadi
- Iran International — Iran court upholds flogging sentences for singer Parastoo Ahmadi, band members
- El Mundo America — Iran confirms the sentence of 74 lashes for singer Parastoo Ahmadi for singing without a veil in a virtual concert
- ua.news — Iran rejects musician’s appeal against 74 lashes — Jerusalem Post
- www.bbc.co.uk — Iran court upholds lashes sentence for singer who performed without hijab - BBC
- www.iranintl.com — Iran court upholds flogging sentences for singer Parastoo Ahmadi, band members | Iran International
- www.dailymail.com — Singer loses appeal against sentence of 74 lashes for performing without a hijab in Iran
- www.theguardian.com — Iranian singer’s 74 lashes for performing without a hijab ‘a form of torture’, say rights groups | ....
- www.legit.ng — Court upholds lashes sentence for singer who performed ...
- rocketnews.com — Iran court upholds flogging sentence for singer who performed ...
- www.jpost.com — Iran court upholds 74-lash sentence for singer Parastoo ...
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