An Iranian singer and two musicians were taken into custody by regime law enforcement agents on Saturday, just days after they streamed a concert on YouTube that garnered nearly 2 million views.
Milad Panahipour, a lawyer representing the detained vocalist Parastoo Ahmady, said his client was apprehended in Sari City after judicial officials initiated an investigation into the recital, which featured her performing "Karvansara Concert" while wearing a sleeveless garment without a headscarf.
“Unfortunately, we do not know the charges against Ms. Ahmady, who arrested her, or her place of detention, but we will follow up on the matter through legal authorities,” Panahipour told The Associated Press.
Since the 1979 Iranian Revolution, female citizens in the Islamic Republic have been required to cover their heads in public and dress in a manner deemed modest according to Islamic law. Ahmady appears to have breached both directives during the 27-minute musical event.
In addition to the apparent noncompliance of Ahmady’s attire, the 27-year-old will likely face scrutiny for violating government rules that prohibit women from singing solo in front of male audiences.
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