Iran appeals court upholds 74-lashes sentence for singer who performed without hijab

An appeals court in Iran has confirmed a sentence of 74 lashes handed to Parastoo Ahmadi, a 29-year-old singer who performed without the mandatory hijab.

Ahmadi sang while wearing a sleeveless dress during a concert livestreamed on her YouTube channel in December 2024. Iran's laws ban public performances by women and require them to wear headscarves and modest clothing. The judiciary launched proceedings after the video went viral, gaining millions of views, saying the performance was "in violation of the country's legal and cultural regulations."

In June, a criminal court in Qom reportedly found Ahmadi and eight members of her band and production team guilty of charges including "offending public decency" through publication of "obscene and indecent material." Alongside the lashes, they were banned from audiovisual activities and from leaving the country for two years.

The defendants' appeal was rejected without a hearing on Friday, according to their lawyers. "In our view, holding the concert was not a crime at all," one lawyer said. "The trial court imposed one of the harshest punishments for these charges, although fines and less severe penalties were also available."

"The Court of Appeal, despite having the option of holding a hearing, did not hold a hearing and upheld the judgment," the lawyer added. "It appears that the main reason for issuing this judgment was to deter the recurrence of similar events."

News of the initial sentence sparked widespread reaction among Iranians on social media. Exiled singer Googoosh wrote on Instagram: "May these dark days come to an end, and may women regain the freedom to choose how they live and dress, and may artistic expression once again flourish in our precious homeland."

Analysis

Why This Matters

The ruling confirms that women performers in Iran can face criminal punishment for breaching rules on public modesty, even in a virtual or livestreamed show.
The case drew millions of views and has become a focus of debate over women's rights in Iran, both at home and in the diaspora.
Beyond Ahmadi, the decision may discourage other artists from testing the limits of the country's cultural regulations.

Background

Iran has required women to cover their hair and wear modest clothing in public since the 1979 revolution, and the legal system has long restricted how and where women may perform publicly. Enforcement of the dress code has varied over time and has been a recurring source of social tension.

The December 2024 concert, broadcast online, put those rules to a direct test by removing the physical audience but not the public nature of the performance. The judiciary's decision to treat it as a criminal matter and the appeals court's refusal to hold a hearing both point to a firm line on the issue.

Key Perspectives

Defense lawyers: They maintain the concert was not a crime at all, argue the trial court could have chosen fines or lesser penalties, and question why the appeals court declined to hold a hearing. Iranian judiciary: Courts characterized the performance as violating legal and cultural regulations, and the lawyers said the appeal ruling appeared designed to deter similar events. Artists and the public: Many Iranians reacted with anger or concern on social media, and exiled singer Googoosh voiced solidarity with Ahmadi, expressing hope for a future where women have more freedoms.

What to Watch

Whether Ahmadi's legal team pursues further options and whether the lashes sentence is carried out.
Reaction from international human rights groups and governments, and any pressure that follows on Tehran.
How other Iranian women artists approach live or online performances in response to the ruling.

Analysis

Why This Matters

Background

Key Perspectives

What to Watch

Sources