An Iranian court has upheld a sentence of 74 lashes against 29-year-old singer Parastoo Ahmadi for performing without a hijab, drawing condemnation from human rights groups who characterize the punishment as torture.
Ahmadi and eight members of her production team, including musicians, were sentenced in June by a court in Qom. The punishment stems from a 2024 concert streamed online that went viral and accumulated millions of views. The court ruled that the group violated Iran's "legal and cultural norms" and described the performance as "obscene and vulgar".
Rights organizations have responded sharply to the court's decision to uphold the sentence. They argue the punishment constitutes a form of torture.
The case reflects Iran's enforcement of mandatory hijab requirements for women. Ahmadi is described as a popular singer in the country. The broader context involves a reported crackdown on women who flout the hijab law.
The sentence marks an escalation in Iranian authorities' response to cultural expression that challenges dress codes. The online concert's reach amplified its visibility to the state, likely contributing to the legal action against Ahmadi and her team.
The court's language characterizing the performance as culturally transgressive underscores official intolerance for public displays that contravene hijab requirements, even in digital formats.