Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmadi has reportedly been sentenced to 74 lashes after performing in public without wearing a hijab, in a case linked to Iran’s morality laws.
The 29-year-old artist gained international attention after livestreaming a concert on her YouTube channel in 2024, where she performed the patriotic song Az Khoon-e Javanan-e Vatan (“From the Blood of the Youth of the Homeland”).
According to rights groups, a criminal court in Qom province also imposed additional penalties on Ahmadi and members of her production team, including a two-year travel ban and a restriction on artistic activities for the same period.
Although the ruling has not been officially published, lawyers and activists say the charges relate to allegations of promoting “immoral content” online.
Human rights organisations have condemned the reported sentence, describing it as part of ongoing restrictions on women’s freedoms in Iran.
Bahar Ghandehari of the Center for Human Rights in Iran said the case reflects continued repression of artists and women in the country, despite claims of reform.
Persian literature professor Fatemeh Shams also criticised the ruling, arguing that it highlights the gap between official narratives and the lived realities of women facing restrictions.
She added that justice and peace cannot be achieved where women are punished for expressing themselves, pursuing careers, or choosing how they live.
The case has further intensified global scrutiny of Iran’s treatment of female artists and its broader human rights record.
Credit:- asaaseradio.com
