Iran singer Parastoo Ahmadi has had a sentence of 74 lashes upheld after an appeals court rejected a challenge to her conviction, according to her lawyers. The case has renewed international concern over women’s rights, artistic freedom and the enforcement of Iran’s compulsory hijab rules.
Ahmadi, 29, performed in a sleeveless dress during a concert livestreamed on her YouTube channel in December 2024. The performance attracted millions of views and prompted Iranian authorities to launch legal proceedings, arguing that it violated the country’s cultural and legal regulations.
Iran singer’s appeal rejected without a hearing
Lawyers representing Ahmadi and members of her production team said the appeal was rejected by a higher court on Friday without a hearing. The original conviction was handed down by a criminal court in Qom in June.
Ahmadi and eight members of her band and production team were reportedly convicted of offences including offending public decency through the publication of material authorities described as obscene or indecent. Alongside the flogging sentence, the defendants were reportedly banned from audiovisual activities and prevented from leaving Iran for two years.
One of Ahmadi’s lawyers said the concert should not have been treated as a crime and argued that the trial court had selected one of the harshest available punishments. The lawyer also suggested that the ruling was intended to discourage other artists from staging similar performances.
Compulsory hijab rules and artistic freedom in Iran
Iranian law requires women and girls above the age of puberty to cover their hair and wear loose-fitting clothing in public. Authorities have also restricted public performances by women, particularly when they appear without the mandatory hijab or perform before mixed audiences.
The case has attracted strong criticism from Iranian artists, activists and human rights organisations. Exiled singer Googoosh called for an end to restrictions on women’s choices and artistic expression, while musician Hossein Alizadeh said he would be willing to receive the punishment in Ahmadi’s place.
Amnesty International has condemned flogging as cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment. The organisation has repeatedly argued that corporal punishment violates the prohibition on torture and other forms of ill-treatment.
Previous 74-lash sentence
Ahmadi’s case follows the flogging of Kurdish-Iranian activist Roya Heshmati in January 2024. Heshmati said she was whipped 74 times after being convicted of violating public morals over a photograph shared online that showed her without a hijab.
Her account, reported by Kurdish rights activists, described how an officer placed a scarf on her head before the punishment was carried out at a prosecutor’s office in Tehran.
Iran’s post-2022 protest movement
The enforcement of Iran’s dress code has remained at the centre of tensions since the death in custody of Mahsa Amini in September 2022. Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman, had been detained by morality police over allegations that she was wearing her hijab improperly.
Her death triggered nationwide protests. Women removed or burned headscarves, while demonstrators demanded greater personal freedoms and challenged the authority of Iran’s clerical establishment. Hundreds of people were killed during the security crackdown, according to rights groups.
Since those protests, many women and girls have continued to appear in public without covering their hair. Authorities have responded with arrests, warnings, business closures and other enforcement measures, although implementation has varied over time.
Why the case matters beyond Iran
The appeal ruling highlights the continuing risks faced by Iranian women, musicians and online creators who challenge official restrictions. Livestreaming has allowed artists to reach audiences beyond the country, but it has also made performances more visible to authorities.
- Women’s rights: The case reflects ongoing disputes over compulsory dress laws and personal autonomy.
- Freedom of expression: The punishment raises concerns about the criminalisation of music and performance.
- Digital activism: Online platforms have become important spaces for artists resisting censorship.
- Human rights: Rights organisations oppose flogging and other corporal punishments.
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Frequently asked questions
Who is Parastoo Ahmadi?
Parastoo Ahmadi is an Iranian singer who performed in a livestreamed concert without the mandatory hijab in December 2024.
What sentence was upheld?
An appeals court upheld a sentence of 74 lashes. The defendants were also reportedly banned from audiovisual activities and prevented from leaving Iran for two years.
Why was the performance controversial?
Iranian authorities said the performance violated legal and cultural regulations because Ahmadi appeared without a hijab and wore a sleeveless dress.
What has been the reaction?
Iranian musicians, activists and human rights groups have condemned the punishment and described it as an attack on women’s freedom and artistic expression.
Conclusion
The Iran singer case demonstrates how artistic expression remains closely tied to the wider struggle over women’s rights and compulsory hijab enforcement. With the 74-lash sentence now upheld, the ruling is likely to intensify international scrutiny of Iran’s treatment of performers and women who challenge its dress laws.
