Iranian pop singer Parastoo Ahmadi was sentenced to 74 lashes [1] after performing a livestreamed YouTube concert without a hijab.
The sentence highlights the strict enforcement of mandatory dress codes in Iran and the risks faced by artists using digital platforms to reach audiences. This case underscores the intersection of gender-based dress laws and state control over artistic expression.
Authorities arrested the 27-year-old singer [2] in Sari City [4]. A court in Qom later issued the sentence [4]. In addition to the physical punishment, the court barred Ahmadi from traveling, and engaging in further artistic work [1].
Iranian officials said performing without a hijab is a violation of the country's mandatory dress code for women [1]. The concert, which was streamed on YouTube, drew the attention of authorities who monitor online content for compliance with religious and social laws [1].
The incident occurred in 2024 [3]. Reports of the sentencing surfaced in mid-2024, sparking international condemnation of the judicial response to a digital performance [1].
While most reports focus on Ahmadi, some documentation contains contradictions regarding the identity of those punished under similar charges. One report attributed a 74-lash sentence to a male singer, Mehdi Yarrahi, though other primary accounts maintain the sentence was issued to Ahmadi [1].
“Iranian pop singer Parastoo Ahmadi was sentenced to 74 lashes”
This sentencing reflects the Iranian judiciary's effort to extend the enforcement of hijab laws into the digital sphere. By punishing a singer for a YouTube livestream, the state signals that online anonymity or virtual platforms do not provide immunity from domestic dress codes. The addition of travel bans and professional restrictions suggests a strategy to isolate artists who challenge social norms, effectively silencing them both physically and professionally.
