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An Iranian court has sentenced singer Parastoo Ahmadi and seven other artists to 74 lashes each after they livestreamed a musical performance on YouTube, according to local media and her videographer.
The concert, which was streamed in December 2024, featured Ahmadi performing emotional songs on an empty stage inside a traditional caravanserai complex. She was accompanied by a pianist, a drummer, a guitarist, and a bassist.
The performance quickly gained online attention, attracting more than 3 million views on Ahmadi’s YouTube channel and thousands more on other platforms.
In an Instagram post on Thursday, videographer Tahmineh Monzavi said the court also imposed additional penalties.
“Two years banned from artistic activities, banned from leaving the country, and 74 lashes for all of us,” she wrote.
Iranian authorities reportedly detained Ahmadi and several members of the production team shortly after the concert was broadcast. They were later released on bail.
According to reports, the court found them guilty of violating public decency laws by producing and sharing content considered contrary to legal and religious standards.
Local news platform Emtedad reported that Ahmadi and her colleagues were sentenced to 74 lashes, a two-year travel ban and a two-year ban on artistic activities.
The case has drawn attention because women in Iran are prohibited from singing solo in public. Women are also required to follow strict dress regulations, including wearing a headscarf.
The concert took place during growing debates over women’s rights and personal freedoms in Iran, especially after the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, which prompted nationwide protests.
