Iran punished a singer with 74 lashes for defying the veil law

The Iranian Justice condemned singer Parastoo Ahmadi to receive 74 lashes for participating in a virtual concert where she appeared without a veil, a decision that once again brought international attention to the strict rules imposed by the Islamic regime on women.

The sentence also includes a two-year ban on artistic activities and another two years without the possibility of leaving the country. The ruling also affected eight members of her production team and the musicians who participated in the recording.

According to the artist herself, the ruling was issued by the Qom Criminal Court under the accusation of "attacking public morality by producing and disseminating obscene content contrary to ethics in the virtual environment."

The concert that sparked the condemnation

The origin of the case dates back to December 11, 2024, when Ahmadi posted a 27-minute video on YouTube titled "An Imaginary Concert."

The recording was made in an ancient caravanserai in Deir Gachin, located in Qom province, one of the most conservative regions of Iran. In the images, the singer appears dressed in black, with her shoulders exposed and not wearing the mandatory hijab for women in public spaces.

Accompanied by four musicians, Ahmadi performed several songs in a presentation that quickly captured the audience's attention. The video garnered nearly three million views and went viral both inside and outside the country. However, the impact also triggered a reaction from Iranian authorities.

Less than 24 hours after the publication, judicial authorities announced the opening of an investigation against the singer and the project members.

Officials argued that the show had been conducted without the necessary authorizations and without respecting the religious and legal norms in force in the Islamic Republic.

The Tehran Prosecutor's Office formalized the charges at the end of December 2024. After being detained, Ahmadi was released on bail along with the other accused, according to the human rights organization HRANA.

The charges included accusations of "offending public morality" and for producing, distributing, and disseminating content deemed "vulgar" and "immoral" by the authorities.