The legal proceedings originated from a 27-minute video posted to YouTube on December 11, 2024, which depicted a “hypothetical concert” recorded at the historic Deir Gachin caravanserai in Qom. In the footage, Ahmadi appears without the mandatory hijab, wearing a sleeveless dress, and sings solo accompanied by male musicians. Under Iranian law, derived from the state’s interpretation of Sharia, women are required to cover their hair and wear modest clothing in public. Furthermore, public performances by women have been banned since the 1979 revolution, with female artists historically restricted to performing for female-only audiences without video recording. The judiciary launched proceedings against Ahmadi shortly after the video gained millions of views, citing that the performance violated the country’s legal and cultural regulations.
The defense challenged the initial conviction in June, arguing that the artistic nature of the work did not constitute a criminal act and that there was an absence of criminal intent. One of Ahmadi’s lawyers stated that holding a concert was “not a crime at all” and criticized the trial court for imposing one of the harshest available punishments when fines or less severe penalties were legally permissible. The lawyers also noted that the Court of Appeal rejected the petition without holding a hearing, with the branch head, Abbas Gharabaghi, deeming the evidence and arguments presented by the defense “insufficient.”
The dismissal of the appeal has drawn scrutiny from legal observers and human rights groups. Dadban, a group of volunteer lawyers, questioned the legal basis of the ruling, stating that singing, playing instruments, or participating in musical production does not, in itself, constitute the production of obscene material. They argued that extending such criminal charges to artistic activities raises serious concerns regarding fundamental principles of criminal law. Amnesty International condemned the sentence, warning that flogging constitutes cruel, inhuman, and degrading punishment that violates the absolute prohibition on torture and ill-treatment. The Abdorrahman Boroumand Centre described the use of lashings as a “degrading and violent punishment” often deployed against political activists and ethnic minorities.
The ruling arrives amidst a broader context of tension regarding the enforcement of hijab laws. Since the 2022 anti-government uprising, triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody, many Iranian women have engaged in civil disobedience by appearing in public without head coverings. While enforcement has been inconsistent, hardline judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei recently demanded a renewed crackdown on opposition to the mandatory hijab, describing non-compliance as “nudity” and “social abnormalities.” Human rights organizations have reported an intensified crackdown on dissent, with authorities continuing to arrest and execute individuals involved in previous protest movements.
The precedent set by this final verdict remains significant for the cultural landscape in Iran. Ahmadi had previously faced legal complaints in 2022 for releasing a song supporting the protesters. The finality of the Qom court’s decision means that the sentences, including the physical punishment and travel restrictions, are now subject to enforcement, though the specific timing or location for the execution of the lashings has not been publicly disclosed. The case underscores the continued legal jeopardy faced by artists who challenge state-imposed dress codes and performance restrictions, highlighting a judicial stance that prioritizes deterrence of similar events over proportionality in sentencing.
