Iranian ex‑footballer Pejman Jamshidi sentenced to 99 lashes for illicit relationship

Iran's Supreme Court upheld a conviction against former national‑team midfielder and actor Pejman Jamshidi, imposing the maximum penalty of 99 lashes under Article 637 of the penal code for maintaining an illicit extramarital relationship. The ruling follows an earlier rape allegation by actress Melika Parsadoust that was dismissed for lack of evidence, but the court found Jamshidi guilty of the moral offense.

Jamshidi, who played for Persepolis FC and represented Iran in World Cup qualifiers before turning to acting, fled the country after the accusations, spending time in Canada and Turkey before returning to face the trial. The case has drawn international attention to Iran's strict enforcement of moral statutes and the broader context of women's rights in the country.