Iranian Singer Parastoo Ahmadi Gets 74 Lashes for No Hijab 2026

Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmadi has been sentenced to 74 lashes for performing without a hijab, a punishment that rights groups have condemned as a form of torture. The sentence, upheld by an Iranian court, stems from a viral online concert in 2024 that sparked outrage among authorities.

The Controversial Concert and Legal Battle

In 2024, Parastoo Ahmadi, 29, performed a concert that was streamed online without wearing the mandatory hijab. The performance quickly went viral, racking up millions of views. Iranian authorities arrested Ahmadi and eight members of her production team, including musicians. In June, a court in Qom sentenced them for violating the country's "legal and cultural norms," labeling the performance "obscene and vulgar." Last week, the court upheld the sentence of 74 lashes for Ahmadi and her team. They are expected to be flogged within the next three months.

Iran's Hijab and Chastity Law

The punishment is based on Iran's "hijab and chastity" law, passed in 2024 but not yet officially implemented. This law imposes severe penalties on women caught "promoting nudity, indecency, unveiling or improper dressing." Penalties include fines, flogging, and prison sentences ranging from five to 15 years for repeat offenders. Lawyers note that the verdict was anticipated, as the head of Iran's judiciary recently stated that the regime should not fear the "uproar" from a harsher crackdown on those not wearing the hijab.

International Outrage and Human Rights Concerns

Rights groups have expressed outrage at the sentence. Roya Boroumand, co-founder of the Abdorrahman Boroumand Center for Human Rights, said, "This concert is treated as an act of defiance not only because a woman is singing unveiled, but because she is..." The center and other organizations describe the punishment as "a form of torture" and a violation of basic human rights. The case highlights the ongoing crackdown on women's rights in Iran, particularly since the 2022 protests following the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody.

Key Takeaways

• Parastoo Ahmadi, a popular Iranian singer, was sentenced to 74 lashes for performing without a hijab.
• The sentence was upheld by a court in Qom, Iran, and is expected to be carried out within three months.
• Rights groups condemn the punishment as torture and a violation of human rights.
• The case underscores Iran's harsh enforcement of its "hijab and chastity" law.
• International pressure may increase as the world reacts to this controversial punishment.

Comparison of Penalties Under Iran's Hijab Law

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