Iran Court Upholds 74-Lash Sentence for Singer Who Performed Without Hijab

An appeals court in Iran has upheld a sentence of 74 lashes against prominent singer Parastoo Ahmadi for performing without wearing the mandatory hijab, according to her lawyers.

Ahmadi, 29, performed in a sleeveless dress during a concert livestreamed on her YouTube channel in December 2024. The performance went viral and attracted millions of views.

Iranian law requires women to cover their hair and wear modest clothing in public, while public performances by women are also restricted.

Following the performance, Iran’s judiciary initiated proceedings against Ahmadi, describing it as a violation of the country’s legal and cultural regulations.

In June, a criminal court in Qom convicted Ahmadi and eight members of her band and production team of offences including “offending public decency” through the publication of what authorities described as obscene and indecent material.

They were sentenced to 74 lashes, a two-year ban from audiovisual activities and a two-year travel restriction.

According to Ahmadi’s lawyers, the appeals court rejected their appeal on Friday without holding a hearing.

One of her lawyers told the BBC that the concert itself should not have been considered a crime, adding that the court imposed one of the harshest available punishments.

The sentence has attracted criticism from Iranian musicians and human rights organisations. Exiled singer Googoosh called for an end to restrictions on women’s freedom to choose how they dress and live, while musician Hossein Alizadeh said he was willing to receive the lashes in Ahmadi’s place.

Amnesty International also criticised the punishment, saying flogging amounts to cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and violates the prohibition on torture and other ill-treatment.

The case comes amid continuing tensions over Iran’s compulsory hijab rules, which became a major focus of nationwide protests following the 2022 death in custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini.

Since then, some Iranian women have appeared in public without head coverings in defiance of the dress code, while authorities have responded with arrests, warnings and other measures.

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