Iranian Singer Sentenced to 74 Lashes Over Hijab Violation

TEHRAN, IRAN — Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmadi has been sentenced to 74 lashes and barred from performing or leaving the country for two years after a court found her guilty in connection with a 2024 concert in which she appeared without a hijab, according to reports from Iranian media and individuals familiar with the case.

The sentence was handed down in Qom Province following a closed trial that also involved eight members of Ahmadi’s band and production team. The case stems from a performance video that gained widespread attention online after showing the singer performing with her hair uncovered, in violation of Iran’s mandatory hijab laws.

Human rights advocates and critics of Iran’s restrictions on women condemned the punishment, arguing that it reflects continued enforcement of strict religious and social regulations. The verdict comes amid ongoing debate over women’s rights and personal freedoms in Iran, particularly following years of protests sparked by the enforcement of hijab requirements.

Ahmadi first drew national and international attention when footage of her performance circulated widely on social media. The singer and several collaborators were briefly detained after the video’s release. Under the court’s ruling, she now faces both corporal punishment and restrictions on her professional activities.

The case has renewed discussion about the future direction of Iran’s social policies and the treatment of artists, particularly women, under the country’s current leadership.

Previously, the UOJ reported that the ROCOR First Hierarch said that, amid the conflict in Iran, Christians must keep peace rather than fight during Great Lent.