Iran appeals court upholds 74‑lash sentence for singer Parastu Ahmadi
The 29‑year‑old was sentenced over a December 2024 performance without a hijab; her appeal was rejected without a hearing and she faces a two‑year audiovisual ban.
An appeals court in Iran has upheld a 74‑lash sentence against singer Parastu Ahmadi, her lawyers said, after she performed without the mandatory hijab.
Sentence, travel ban and audiovisual restrictions
Ahmadi, 29, gave a concert in December 2024 wearing a sleeveless dress that was streamed live on her YouTube channel. Iranian law prohibits public performances by women and requires women to wear a headscarf and clothing that covers the body.
The Criminal Court in Qom found her and several members of her group guilty on charges that included “insulting public morality” by publishing what authorities described as indecent and immoral content. In addition to 74 lashes, those convicted received a two‑year ban on engaging in audiovisual activities and were barred from leaving the country.
Her appeal was rejected by a higher court without a hearing, her legal team said. One of her lawyers commented: "In our view, holding the concert did not constitute a criminal offence at all. The first-instance court handed down one of the harshest penalties for these charges, despite fines and milder sanctions being available."
The veteran Iranian singer Googoosh, who lives in exile, wrote that she hopes "that these dark days will end" and that women will again have the freedom to decide how to live and how to dress.
Human rights organisations condemned the ruling. Amnesty International warned that flogging is a "cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment" and breaches the absolute prohibition on torture and other forms of ill‑treatment.
Lawyers for Ahmadi said the first‑instance court could have imposed fines or lighter penalties, and that the appeals court had the opportunity to hold a hearing but did not do so.
Photo: press material from the event
