Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmadi sentenced to 74 lashes for hijab‑less performance

Iranian vocalist Parastoo Ahmadi and seven male musicians were each sentenced by the provincial criminal court in Qom to 74 lashes, a two‑year ban on artistic activity and a two‑year travel restriction. The court ruled they violated religious and moral norms by broadcasting a live concert on YouTube in December 2024 without Ahmadi wearing a hijab. The performance, held in a vacant caravanserai and watched by three million viewers online, was described by authorities as “public indecency” and “immoral content.”

The case occurs amid ongoing protests in Iran over compulsory hijab rules, sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022, and reflects the authorities’ broader crackdown on women who appear without veils.

The sentence was reported by Iranian media outlets including the Emtedad news platform, which quoted the court’s decision.