An appeals court in Iran has approved a sentence of 74 lashes for singer Parastoo Ahmadi for not wearing the compulsory hijab while performing on stage, her lawyers said.
Ahmadi, 29, was due to perform in a sleeveless dress after an open concert stream on YouTube in December 2024 that she said had millions of views. Iranian law requires women to cover their hair and wear conservative clothes in public places. Also prohibited in Iran are public performances of women.
Authorities initiated proceedings against Ahmadi for her performance, which they said violated Iran’s legal and cultural norms. In mid-June, a criminal court in Qom convicted Ahmadi and eight members of her band and production team for offences including offending public decency.
The judge ordered them to receive 74 lashes, a two-year ban from any audiovisual activities and a two-year travel ban. Ahmadi’s lawyers reported that the appeals court rejected their challenge on Friday without hearing it.
One of her lawyers said that the concert should not have been treated as a crime and that the punishment was one of the harshest for the charges. Ahmadi’s original sentence drew condemnation from Iranian musicians and human rights groups.
Amnesty International said that flogging is cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and violates the prohibition of torture and other ill-treatment. The case comes as Iran continues to grapple with tightening enforcement of its compulsory hijab rules following nationwide protests over the death in custody of Mahsa Amini in 2022.
