Iranian singer without hijab freed on bail: media

Local media reported that an Iranian court on Monday freed on bail a female singer who performed in an online concert two weeks ago without adhering to the strict Islamic dress code.

"Singer Parastoo Ahmadi went to the 38th District Court of Tehran's Moral Security Monday with her lawyers. Her charges were explained to her, and she was released on bail" of about $38,500, Ham Mihan Daily reported.

The paper added that "charges were also explained to the musicians of the virtual concert," and they were freed on bail of about $25,500 each.

The concert, performed on December 11 with no audience present, was shot inside Iran with Ahmadi and her four-man backing band on keyboard, percussion, and guitars, playing outside on a stage on the grounds of a traditional caravanserai complex.

The singer was not wearing a headscarf and was bare-shouldered in a long, flowing black dress. She streamed the concert on her YouTube channel.

Afterwards, the judiciary's Mizan Online news website said a "legal case" was filed against the singer and the production staff for performing "music without observing legal and religious standards".

Under rules imposed after the 1979 Islamic revolution, women must cover their hair and neck and wear loose-fitting clothes in public. They are also not allowed to sing solo in public.

However, increasing numbers of women are appearing without hijab, especially since protests erupted following Mahsa Amini's death in custody in September 2022. She had been arrested for allegedly violating the dress code.