Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmadi has reportedly been sentenced to 74 lashes after performing in public without wearing a hijab, a requirement enforced by 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 historic 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 issued additional punishments against Ahmadi and members of her production team, including a two-year ban from leaving the country and a two-year restriction on artistic activities. Although the ruling has not yet been officially published, lawyers and activists say the charges relate to accusations of promoting “immoral content” online.
The reported sentencing has drawn criticism from human rights advocates, who argue that the case reflects ongoing restrictions on women’s freedoms in Iran. Bahar Ghandehari of the Center for Human Rights in Iran described the punishment as evidence that conditions for artists and women in the country remain unchanged despite efforts to present a different image.
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Meanwhile, Persian literature professor Fatemeh Shams condemned the decision, saying the punishment highlights the conflict between official narratives and the experiences of women facing restrictions. She argued that true peace and justice cannot exist where women are punished for expressing themselves, pursuing careers, or choosing how they live
