An Iranian singer who performed without a hijab in a viral online concert has been sentenced to 74 lashes.The case has been condemned by human rights groups and artists around the world.Parastu Ahmadi, 29, was sentenced for a livestream performance that attracted millions of viewers online. Eight members of the production team, including the musicians, were also convicted in connection with the concert.An Iranian court imposed 74 lashes, a two-year ban on leaving Iran, and a two-year ban on artistic activities. The charges included offending public decency through online production and publication of what authorities described as “obscene and immoral material”.The case relates to a December 2024 demonstration in which Ahmadi sang the patriotic song Az Khune Javanane Watan (From the Blood of the Youth of the Homeland) without wearing a hijab. The concert was streamed live on their YouTube channel and went viral.Ahmadi and several musicians were detained after the demonstration continued. He was later freed. Authorities opened a formal legal case over the video..Bahar Ghandehari, director of advocacy at the US-based Center for Human Rights in Iran, said: “Ahmadi’s sentence of 74 lashes simply for singing and appearing without a hijab is another reminder that the human rights situation in Iran has not changed, despite Iranian authorities’ wartime propaganda campaign aimed at improving their image.”Human rights lawyer Moeen Khazaeli also questioned the legal basis of the decision.She said, “Singing, musical performance and the creation or dissemination of musical works by women are not crimes under Iranian criminal law. As a result, such activities cannot appropriately be considered ‘production, distribution or publication of obscene material’.”The decision has also been criticized by prominent figures in the Iranian art community.Iranian-British actor Nazanin Boniadi said: “The flogging of singer Parastu Ahmadi for the simple act of singing in public without a hijab is a stark reminder that, despite talk in Washington of a ‘new regime’ in Iran, the Islamic Republic’s machinery of repression remains unchanged. Accommodating a regime that flogs women for their voices and beats up civilians for demanding their rights only serves her Encourages him to continue on his tyrannical path.“Actor Setreh Maleki described Ahmadi’s protest as an act of resistance.She said, “When I saw the video of Parastu Ahmadi’s concert, it rekindled the spirit of resistance in me. I kept watching the video again and again for several days and I felt extremely proud of Parastu.”“Knowing all the consequences they would face, they still refused to give up their right to live, sing and be heard as a woman. Iranian women never stop fighting against tyranny even for a moment, and that is truly remarkable.”