Persian singer Prasto Ahmadi has been arrested for performing without a hijab, sparking widespread discussion about freedom of expression and women’s rights in Iran. A case was registered against the 27-year-old singer after she posted a video of her virtual concert on YouTube, where she appeared without the mandatory headscarf.
According to Iran’s state-run news agency, IRNA News, the singer was detained in Mazandaran province after her performance gained over 1.6 million views online. Her lawyer revealed that the arrest occurred without prior notice or a formal summons from the judiciary, leaving her legal team and supporters shocked.
“We were waiting for the legal process to begin, but instead, our client was suddenly taken into custody,” the lawyer said. He also disclosed that two musicians associated with the singer, Ehsan Burjeedar and Sohail Faqih Nasiri, were also arrested from their music academy in Tehran.
The state-affiliated Meezan News Agency labeled the performance “illegal” and confirmed legal actions against both the singer and the production team involved in the concert.
In response to the arrest, Prasto Ahmadi defended her decision to perform. “Singing for the people I love is a right I cannot ignore,” she said, reaffirming her commitment to her art despite the restrictive laws.
The incident underscores the ongoing crackdown on artists and individuals defying Iran’s strict hijab laws, which have been under scrutiny since the protests following Mahsa Amini’s death in 2022. Rights groups continue to raise concerns about the suppression of artistic freedom in the country.