Iranian Court Sentences Singer Parastoo Ahmadi To 74 Lashes Over Hijabless Online Concert

An Iranian criminal court has sentenced Parastoo Ahmadi and seven members of her production team to 74 lashes each. The severe ruling, handed down by the Qom Provincial Criminal Court in June 2026, stems from a viral, livestreamed virtual concert where the artist performed without wearing the country’s mandatory Islamic hijab.

The legal troubles began following Ahmadi’s highly publicized "Caravanserai Concert," which was recorded at the historic Dayr-e Gachin complex and broadcast live on her YouTube channel. Staged on a dimly lit platform adorned with a traditional Persian carpet, the singer performed powerful, mournful folk tracks to an empty physical arena, backed by a four-piece band. The performance, which has since garnered over three million views online, intentionally defied Iran's strict laws that prohibit women from singing solo in public and mandate modest dress with a headscarf.

The Qom Provincial Criminal Court officially convicted the entire production team on charges of "hurting public decency by producing and publishing vulgar and immoral content on the internet."

According to updates shared by the team's videographer, Tahmineh Monzavi, the court handed down a multi-layered punishment to enforce the state's dress code and cultural restrictions. Alongside the 74 lashes, Ahmadi and her fellow artists have been slammed with a strict two-year international travel ban, as well as a two-year total prohibition from engaging in any form of artistic or musical activities within Iran. Human rights organizations and activists worldwide have strongly condemned the verdict, drawing direct parallels to the ongoing crackdowns linked to the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement that has continued to challenge Tehran's authorities.

What do you think about the Iranian court's decision to sentence Parastoo Ahmadi to 74 lashes for singing without a hijab? Drop your comments below!

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