Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmadi has reportedly been sentenced to 74 lashes after performing in an online concert without wearing a hijab, according to court documents reviewed by rights groups and legal experts.
As per a report by The Guardian, the punishment stems from a concert that was livestreamed on Ahmadi's YouTube channel in 2024. The singer and eight members of her production team, including musicians, were found guilty of creating and distributing content that authorities allegedly deemed "vulgar and immoral".
A criminal court in Iran's Qom province reportedly ordered the lashes, along with a two-year travel ban and a two-year prohibition on participating in artistic activities. The ruling has not yet been officially published by Iran's judiciary news agency.
Concert video sparked legal action
The controversy dates back to December 2024, when Ahmadi performed the patriotic song Az Khoone Javanane Vatan ("From the Blood of the Youth of the Homeland") during an online concert.
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At the time, the then 27-year-old singer appeared on stage with four male musicians while wearing a sleeveless black dress and no head covering. The performance quickly gained traction online and was viewed millions of times on YouTube.
The report further stated that the authorities later briefly detained Ahmadi and several musicians involved in the event. Although they were released, a formal legal case was subsequently initiated over the publication of the video.
Rights groups condemn the reported sentence
Human rights advocates have strongly criticised the reported punishment, describing it as part of a wider crackdown on artists and cultural figures who challenge official restrictions.
"Ahmadi's punishment of 74 lashes for merely singing and appearing without a hijab is yet another reminder that human rights conditions in Iran have not changed, despite the Iranian authorities' wartime propaganda campaign aimed at improving their image”.The Guardian quoted Bahar Ghandehari of the US-based Centre for Human Rights in Iran as saying.
Legal concerns raised
Human rights lawyer Moein Khazaeli questioned the legal basis of the ruling, arguing that Iranian law does not specifically criminalise women singing or producing music.
"The imposition of a flogging sentence against artists, civil society activists or other citizens is not merely a matter of domestic criminal law. It also raises serious concerns regarding states' international obligations to prohibit torture and safeguard human dignity," he said.
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Iranian-British actor Nazanin Boniadi and exiled actor Setareh Maleki also criticised the reported sentence, with Maleki saying Ahmadi's performance had "reignited the spirit of resistance in me."
FAQs:
Why was Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmadi sentenced to 74 lashes?
Reports say she was punished over a 2024 online concert in which she performed without wearing a hijab.
What restrictions were imposed on Parastoo Ahmadi besides the lash sentence?
The reported court order also includes a two-year travel ban and a two-year ban on participating in artistic activities.
