"10-Year Prison Sentence for Woman Accused of 'Obscene Act' for Dancing in Public Place"

20s Iranian Couple Sentenced to 10 Years and 6 Months in Prison
Iranian Constitution "Men and Women Must Not Dance Together"
Ban on SNS Use and Travel Ban Imposed

A couple in their 20s in Iran was sentenced to 10 years in prison after posting a video of themselves dancing on the street on social media.

According to the British BBC and others on the 31st of last month (local time), Amir Mohammad Amadi (22) and his fianc?e Astiaz Hakiki (21) filmed a video of themselves dancing together at Azadi Tower in Tehran, the capital of Iran, and posted it on Instagram. They were each sentenced to 10 years and 6 months in prison. Additionally, they were banned from using social media and from leaving the country for the next two years.

[Image source=Pixabay]

The engaged couple are influencers with around 2 million followers. They were arrested at their home shortly after sharing the short dance video on Instagram. In the posted video, Amadi and Hakiki are holding hands while dancing. Notably, Hakiki was not wearing a hijab and had her long hair down.

The authorities applied charges against them based on the video, accusing them of promoting prostitution and making propaganda against national security. According to the Iranian constitution, women dancing with men in public places is interpreted as obscene behavior and is punishable. Women are reportedly only allowed to enjoy dancing and singing on special occasions such as weddings and birthday parties, and only if men and women are separated.

Foreign media analyzed that the Iranian authorities’ decision was related to the 'hijab protests.' It was pointed out that Hakiki not wearing a hijab was an aggravating factor in the sentencing. However, Amadi and Hakiki claimed that their dance and the hijab protests were unrelated.

During the trial, the couple was deprived of the right to hire a lawyer, and their bail requests were reportedly denied. The BBC stated, "If this verdict is finalized, they will likely serve the longest prison term among inmates who have danced in public places."

Meanwhile, in September last year, Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old female university student in Iran, was arrested by the police for not wearing her hijab properly and died under suspicious circumstances. The large-scale anti-government protests triggered by this incident have continued for over four months.