Iranian Singer Sentenced to 74 Lashes for Distributing Obscene Content

June 19, Kathmandu – An Iranian singer, caught in the ongoing conflict between Iran and the US, has been sentenced by an Iranian court to receive 74 lashes. The court in Qom province handed down the punishment to singer Parastu Ahmadi. Additionally, eight other members of the ‘Caravansaray Concert’ were also ordered to receive 74 lashes each.

The court further directed that all parties involved be banned from leaving the country for two years and refrain from any artistic activities during that period. The ruling was issued based on Islamic law provisions. The order stated, “This decision will also be published in the country’s media.” Those sentenced are accused of distributing inappropriate and obscene material on the internet, thereby offending public decency.

The video of the ‘Caravansaray Concert’ was uploaded to Parastu Ahmadi’s YouTube channel in December 2014. The footage showed the singer performing without a hijab, which sparked widespread controversy on social media and garnered more than 100,000 views within hours. To date, the video has accumulated nearly 3 million views.