Iranian singer sentenced to 74 lashes for singing without headscarf; authorities call video ‘vulgar and immoral’
An Iranian singer who performed without a headscarf in a viral online concert has been sentenced to 74 lashes.The case triggered condemnation from all walks of life human rights Groups and artists from around the world.Parastoo Ahmadi, 29, was punished for a live-streamed performance that attracted millions of viewers online. Eight members of the production team, including musicians, were also convicted in connection with the concert.An Iranian court sentenced him to 74 lashes, a two-year ban on leaving Iran, and a two-year ban on artistic activities. The charges include violating public morals by producing and posting what authorities described as “vulgar and immoral content” online.The case stems from a performance in December 2024 when Ahmadi sang the patriotic song Az Khoone Javanane Vatan (The Blood of the Youth of the Motherland) without wearing a hijab. The concert was broadcast live on her YouTube channel and quickly went viral.Ahmadi and several musicians were detained after the show was released. They were later released. Authorities launched formal legal proceedings over the video.Bahar Gandahari, advocacy director of the U.S.-based Center for Human Rights in Iran, said: “Ahmadi’s punishment of 74 lashes simply for singing and appearing without a headscarf is another reminder that the human rights situation in Iran has not changed despite the Iranian authorities’ wartime propaganda campaign aimed at improving its image.”Human rights lawyer Moein Khazaeli also questioned the legal basis of the verdict.“According to Iran’s penal code, it is not a crime for women to sing, perform music and produce or distribute musical works. Therefore, such activities cannot be reasonably interpreted as ‘production, dissemination or publication of obscene content’,” he said.The ruling also drew criticism from prominent figures in Iran’s art world.Iranian-British actor Nazanin Boniadi said: “The singer Palasto Ahmadi’s sentencing to be whipped for the simple act of singing in public without a headscarf is a stark reminder that despite talk in Washington of a ‘new regime’ in Iran, the Islamic Republic’s repressive machinery remains unchanged. Accommodating a regime that whips women for speaking out and kills citizens for demanding their rights will only embolden it to continue on its path of tyranny.”“Actor Setareh Maleki described Ahmadi’s performance as an act of resistance.“When I watched the videos of Palaszow Ahmadi’s concert, it rekindled the spirit of resistance within me. I watched the videos over and over for days and I was so proud of Palaszow,” she said.“Knowing all the consequences she would face, she still refused to give up her right to live, to sing, and to be heard as a woman. It is truly remarkable that Iranian women have never stopped fighting against tyranny, even for a moment.”
