Parastoo Ahmadi, an Iranian singer, and eight members of her production team have been sentenced to 74 lashes for performing in a concert livestreamed on Ahmadi's YouTube page in 2024.
The ruling was issued by a criminal court in Iran's Qom province, alongside a two-year ban on leaving the country and engaging in artistic work.
Ahmadi's performance, which amassed millions of views, featured her singing without a hijab, a move deemed 'vulgar and immoral' by the court.
Under Iran's interpretation of Islamic law, women face severe limitations on solo public singing and must comply with strict dress regulations.
A human rights attorney has argued that the punishment has no legal foundation, as singing and performing music by women are not criminalised under Iranian law.
