An Iranian singer, Parastoo Ahmadi, 29, has lost her appeal and will receive 74 lashes for performing without a hijab during an online concert. The sentence also includes a two-year travel ban and a two-year ban on artistic activities.
Ahmadi performed a patriotic song titled "Az Khoone Javanane Vatan" (From the Blood of the Youth of the Homeland) in a YouTube livestream in December 2024, accompanied by her four-man backing band. No audience was present during the performance, which was posted online. Ahmadi stated at the time, "I am Parastoo, a girl who wants to sing for the people."
The musicians were arrested, and in June, a criminal court in the city of Qom found Ahmadi and eight other musicians guilty of charges including "offending public decency" through the publication of "obscene and indecent material."
The musicians' legal team appealed the decision, but a court upheld the conviction last week. One lawyer stated that holding the concert was not a crime and that the trial court imposed a harsh punishment when less severe penalties were available. The Court of Appeal reportedly did not hold a hearing, upholding the judgment, which appears intended to deter similar actions.
The video of Ahmadi's performance has garnered millions of views, with many commenters praising her bravery and voice. In Iran, women are prohibited from singing alone in public, and the hijab has been mandatory for women and girls over 12 years old since the introduction of a stricter "Hijab and chastity" bill approved last year.
This defiance comes amidst a broader crackdown on women publicly defying the Islamic Republic's laws. Following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, restrictions on women's public singing evolved from a complete ban to prohibitions on solo performances before mixed-gender audiences. Female vocalists were permitted to perform for male audiences only as part of a chorus, and female-only audiences were allowed.
Iranian and Islamic law stipulates that women must wear a hijab in front of unrelated men. The hijab has long been a political symbol in Iran, particularly after it became compulsory following the 1979 revolution. For observant Muslim women, it signifies piety and modesty.
The case also follows the widespread protests in Iran in 2022, sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, 22, after her arrest by the morality police for allegedly not wearing her hijab properly. Recently, a voice recording emerged from Najmeh Amini, a 23-year-old accounting student facing execution in Mashhad for charges including "insulting the Supreme Leader" and "clashing with security agents."
In her recording, Najmeh Amini appealed for international intervention, urging listeners to be her voice and investigate her case. Human rights groups report that thousands were arrested during the 2022 protests, with many detainees awaiting court decisions. Public executions are not uncommon in Iran, often carried out by hanging.