Arrested Iranian singer to get 74 lashes for performing without hijab

TEHRAN: Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmadi, arrested has been sentenced to 74 lashes for performing in an online concert without a hijab. She was arrested in 2024 for not wearing a hijab during a live concert on her YouTube channel.

The sentence was awarded to her by a criminal court in Qom. In addition to the flogging, the court also banned her from leaving Iran and participating in music events for two years. The singer has been charged with producing and disseminating vulgar and immoral content. Eight other members of Parastoo’s band have also been sentenced.

In the video that led to the arrest, the singer is seen singing wearing a sleeveless black dress with her hair uncovered. Four youths are also seen in the video. The singer shared a note with the post. 'I am Parastoo. I want to sing for the people who love me. This is my right. I cannot ignore it. I am singing for the land I love. History and myths are intertwined in Iran. Imagine your homeland through my voice,’ she said.

Following the 1979 Iranian Revolution, women in Iran were strictly made to wear hijab. Many women wear hijab as a symbol of their religious beliefs. However, some see it as a restriction on personal freedom. There have been various protests in Iran recently regarding this. The death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody in 2022, arrested for not wearing hijab, caused widespread protests in Iran.