Iran singer Parastoo Ahmadi sentenced to 74 lashes as appeals court upholds conviction

Parastoo Ahmadi Iran hijab laws Qom Appeals Court flogging sentence artistic freedom

An appeals court in Qom, Iran, has upheld the conviction and sentencing of singer Parastoo Ahmadi and eight others. The group, which includes four musicians and four production members, was sentenced to 74 lashes, a two-year ban on audiovisual activities, and a two-year ban on leaving the country.

The legal proceedings stem from a 27-minute YouTube video of a hypothetical concert recorded at the Deir Gachin caravanserai in December 2024. Authorities ruled that the performance violated religious and moral norms because Ahmadi appeared without a mandatory hijab and was accompanied by male musicians. The court characterized elements of the broadcast as obscene and contrary to public decency.

Defense lawyers argued that the performance was a work of art without criminal intent and that the trial court applied excessively harsh punishments. However, the Room 16 Appeals Court rejected these appeals and confirmed the original June ruling from the Qom Criminal Court without modifications. Ahmadi announced the finality of the decision via her Instagram account.

Entities

Dayr-e Gachin Caravanserai · Deir Gachin Caravanserai · Instagram · Iran · Karvansara Concert · Parastoo Ahmadi · Qom Appeals Court · Qom Court of Appeal · Qom Province Court of Appeal · YouTube

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 19 SOURCES] The Qom Appeals Court, Room 16, issued a final sentence regarding the caravanserai concert case. www.diarioviseu.pt · infoenn.com · www.mundonow.com · notimercio.ec · www.marquesina.mx · +14 more
[● 14 SOURCES] Ahmadi stated that the sentence is final and mandatory. www.diarioviseu.pt · infoenn.com · www.mundonow.com · notimercio.ec · www.marquesina.mx · +9 more
[● 17 SOURCES] The case stems from a 27-minute YouTube video of a hypothetical concert recorded at the Deir Gachin caravanserai in December 2024. www.diarioviseu.pt · infoenn.com · www.mundonow.com · notimercio.ec · www.marquesina.mx · +12 more
[● 16 SOURCES] The court confirmed the original sentence without any modifications. www.diarioviseu.pt · infoenn.com · www.mundonow.com · notimercio.ec · www.marquesina.mx · +11 more
[● 17 SOURCES] The initial sentence was issued in June by Room 122 of the Qom Criminal Court. www.diarioviseu.pt · infoenn.com · www.mundonow.com · notimercio.ec · www.marquesina.mx · +12 more
[● 18 SOURCES] The court ruled that the performance violated religious and moral norms because Ahmadi performed without a hijab and was accompanied by male musicians. www.diarioviseu.pt · infoenn.com · www.mundonow.com · notimercio.ec · www.marquesina.mx · +13 more
[● 11 SOURCES] Singer Parastoo Ahmadi announced the final court decision via her Instagram account. www.diarioviseu.pt · infoenn.com · www.mundonow.com · notimercio.ec · www.marquesina.mx · +6 more
[● 18 SOURCES] Parastoo Ahmadi, four musicians, and four other individuals were sentenced to 74 lashes, a two-year ban on audiovisual activities, and a two-year ban on leaving the country. www.diarioviseu.pt · infoenn.com · www.mundonow.com · notimercio.ec · www.marquesina.mx · +13 more