An Iranian court in Qom sentenced singer Parastoo Ahmadi to 74 lashes for performing a patriotic anthem on YouTube without a hijab [1].

The ruling highlights the ongoing legal pressures facing artists in Iran who challenge strict dress codes, even when performing content that is patriotic in nature.

According to the court, the punishment was a direct result of the singer appearing in a video without the mandatory head covering [1]. In addition to the physical punishment, the court imposed a travel ban lasting two years [2].

The judicial decision further restricts Ahmadi's professional life by enforcing a two-year ban on all artistic activities [3]. This restriction prevents the singer from engaging in public performances or recording new work within the specified timeframe.

The case emerged following the publication of a video on YouTube where Ahmadi performed the anthem [1]. The court in Qom said that the lack of a hijab during the performance constituted a violation of national laws.

Legal observers said that the combination of corporal punishment and professional bans serves as a deterrent to other performers. The sentence targets both the physical person and the professional livelihood of the artist, a common pattern in recent judicial actions against women in the region.

While the specific date of the sentencing was not provided in the reports, the ruling was detailed in a broadcast by WION news [1]. The court's decision underscores the rigid enforcement of hijab laws regardless of the artist's intent or the nature of the song performed.

“An Iranian court in Qom sentenced singer Parastoo Ahmadi to 74 lashes”

This sentencing reflects the Iranian judiciary's continued use of corporal punishment and professional sanctions to enforce social codes. By banning a singer from her craft and restricting her movement, the state leverages professional erasure alongside physical penalty to maintain compliance with hijab laws.