An Iranian appeals court has upheld a controversial sentence of 74 lashes for singer Parastoo Ahmadi, who performed without a hijab, according to her legal representatives. The ruling comes after Ahmadi, 29, delivered a concert in December 2024 while wearing a sleeveless dress, a performance that was livestreamed on her YouTube channel and subsequently went viral, garnering millions of views.

Ahmadi's performance has been deemed a violation of Iranian laws that mandate women to cover their hair and dress modestly in public. Furthermore, public performances by women are strictly prohibited under the country's legal framework. Following the concert, the judiciary initiated proceedings against Ahmadi, labeling her actions as contrary to the nation’s legal and cultural standards.

In June, a criminal court in Qom found Ahmadi and eight members of her band guilty of charges including “offending public decency” through the dissemination of what was described as “obscene and indecent material.” Alongside the lashes, the court imposed a two-year ban on audiovisual activities and a two-year travel restriction for the singer and her team.

Despite appealing the decision, the higher court rejected their case without conducting a hearing. One of Ahmadi's lawyers expressed disappointment, stating, “In our view, holding the concert was not a crime at all. The trial court imposed one of the harshest punishments for these charges, although fines and less severe penalties were also available.” The lawyer further noted that the court's decision seemed aimed at deterring similar performances in the future.

The original sentence has sparked significant backlash from various quarters, including fellow musicians and human rights organizations. Notably, exiled singer Googoosh took to Instagram to express her solidarity, saying, “May these dark days come to an end, and may women regain the freedom to choose how they live and dress, and may artistic expression once again flourish in our precious homeland.” Renowned musician Hossein Alizadeh also voiced his support, stating he would be “willing to take 70 lashes in Parastoo Ahmadi's place.”

International human rights group Amnesty International condemned the sentence, labeling flogging as a form of cruel and inhumane punishment that violates the prohibition against torture and ill-treatment.

This case highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding Iran's compulsory hijab laws, which have been a focal point for protests since the death of Mahsa Amini in custody in 2022. In the wake of her death, many Iranian women have defied the dress code by appearing in public without head coverings, leading to a crackdown by authorities through arrests and other punitive measures.