A young Iranian couple was given jail sentences of up to 10 years after posting a video of themselves dancing in Tehran streets by the Azadi (Freedom)Tower without hijab.
Astiazh Haqiqi, 21, and her fiancé Amir Mohammad Ahmadi, 22, are said to be convicted of "promoting corruption and prostitution, colluding against national security, and propaganda against the establishment."
Following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini at the hands of the Islamic morality police over her hijab wear and the protests by men and women to defy the Islamic Republic and the burning of hijabs, regime authorities are handing heavy sentences to people seen to be involved in the marches.
The couple did not link their dance to the ongoing protests in Iran but were arrested after they posted the video to their Instagram accounts, which have a combined following of nearly two million.
As protests continue to rage throughout Iran, the government has labeled them as "riots," ordering security forces and supporters of the regime to arrest, beat, and kill citizens who participate in the marches and chant for the downfall of the government.
The family home of Haqiqi, a fashion designer, was raided before the arrest. While it is unclear how long the sentence of each of the separate convictions the couple faces, they have each been sentenced to a total of 10.5 years.
If their verdicts are upheld, the couple will have to serve the longest one of those sentencing terms. Reports also indicate they were also sentenced to a two-year ban on social media and cannot leave Iran.
Despite facing international sanctions and condemnations from Western governments, the Islamic Republic continues to quash protests, blaming Western intelligence agencies and the state of Israel for inciting the protests to overthrow the regime.
Following the protests last September, the Islamic regime has cut off the internet in Iran while enacting brutal executions through public hangings of peaceful protesters.
Related Story: Iran’s Regime Doubles Down with Harsher Hijab Punishments
