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Iranian Singer Parastoo Ahmadi Arrested for Performing Without Hijab in 1.5 Million View Concert; Two Musicians Detained

Dec 14, 2024, 10:12 PM

Parastoo Ahmadi, an Iranian singer, was arrested for performing an online concert on YouTube without wearing a hijab, challenging the country's strict Islamic dress code. The concert, titled 'Hypothetical Concert', was streamed from a historical caravanserai and garnered significant attention, amassing 1.5 million views. Following her performance, Ahmadi was detained in Mazandaran province, while two of her musicians, Ehsan Beiraghdar and Soheil Faghih Nassiri, were arrested in Tehran during a music class. Reports indicate that Ahmadi's arrest occurred without prior notice or summons. Her lawyer, Milad Panahipour, stated that the reasons for the arrests remain unclear. Subsequently, conflicting reports emerged regarding Ahmadi's release, with her lawyer confirming that she was freed at 3 AM after a session with her family, despite initial claims by police that she had been released earlier. The incident underscores the ongoing tensions surrounding women's rights and freedom of expression in Iran.