Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmadi sentenced to 74 lashes for singing without hijab

Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmadi and eight members of a production team have reportedly been sentenced to 74 lashes over a concert livestreamed on her YouTube channel in 2024.

According to court documents reviewed by rights groups and lawyers, a criminal court in Qom province also imposed a two-year travel ban and a two-year ban on artistic activities on the artists, foreign media reports.

The charges reportedly include offending public decency through the production and publication of what authorities described as "vulgar and immoral content" online.

Iran's judiciary has not officially published the ruling.

Ahmadi, 29, performed the patriotic song Az Khoone Javanane Vatan (From the Blood of the Youth of the Homeland) without wearing a hijab during a livestreamed concert in December 2024. The performance went viral and has since attracted millions of views on YouTube.

She and several musicians were briefly detained following the broadcast before being released. Authorities later opened a formal case over the publication of the video.

By Aghakazim Guliyev