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An Iranian court has ordered 74 lashes each for singer Parastu Ahmadi and eight members of her production team on charges of publicly performing without a hijab. Additionally, they have been banned from foreign travel and participating in artistic activities for two years.
According to court documents, a criminal court in Iran’s Qom province issued the verdict. They were accused of undermining public order and social decency by publishing and promoting ‘obscene and immoral content’ on the internet.
The incident originated in December 2024 when 29-year-old Parastu Ahmadi broadcast a live concert on her YouTube channel. During the performance, she appeared without a hijab and sang a patriotic song titled ‘Az Khoone Javanane Vatan’. The video quickly went viral on social media and sparked widespread discussion.
Following the video’s release, Parastu Ahmadi and several of her collaborators were temporarily detained. Although later released, an official case was filed against them. The video published on YouTube has already been viewed millions of times.
Human rights activists have described the verdict not merely as a legal decision, but as a repressive measure against dissent and cultural freedom. According to them, such actions against artists critical of the government have long been observed in Iran.
Bahar Ghandehari, advocacy director at the US-based human rights organization ‘Center for Human Rights in Iran’, stated that such severe punishment simply for singing and appearing without a hijab is extremely alarming and reflects the country’s human rights situation.
Conversely, Moein Khazaeli, a human rights lawyer at the Iranian legal aid organization ‘Dadban’, said that the verdict lacks a clear legal basis. According to him, Iran’s existing laws do not specify singing by women as a crime, thus classifying it as ‘obscene content’ is an abuse of the law.
Iranian-British actress Nazanin Boniadi referred to the verdict as a harsh message, stating that despite discussions about political and social change in the country, repressive measures remain in place.
Meanwhile, exiled Iranian actress Setareh Maleki said that Parastu Ahmadi’s concert deeply inspired her. She stated that the artist showed courage in raising her voice despite adverse circumstances, and this symbolizes the struggle of Iranian women.
According to analysts, this verdict has raised new concerns about the freedom of artists and cultural workers in Iran. Concurrently, international debate over freedom of expression and women’s rights in the country may also intensify.
Source: The Guardian