Iranian singer sentenced to 74 lashes for hijab-free show

An Iranian singer and eight members of her production team have been sentenced to 74 lashes and additional restrictions for performing in a concert without a hijab. The Qom Criminal Court issued the ruling against Parastoo Ahmadi, 29, and the others for a livestreamed performance in December 2024.

The case stems from a 27-minute virtual concert filmed at the Deire Gachin Caravanserai and published on YouTube. In the performance, Ahmadi appeared without a hijab while singing the patriotic song "Az Khoone Javanane Vatan" ("From the Blood of the Youth of the Homeland") alongside male musicians. The video garnered millions of views. Shortly after its release, Ahmadi and several musicians were briefly detained before being released. Authorities later filed a formal case.

The court convicted the group of offending public decency by producing and publishing vulgar and immoral content online and of breaching Iran's mandatory dress and performance regulations. In addition to the flogging sentence, the court imposed a two-year ban on leaving the country and a two-year ban on engaging in artistic activities on Ahmadi and the production team. Authorities also sealed the caravanserai where...