An Iranian couple – Astiyazh Haghighi and fiance Amir Mohammad have both been handed a 10-year jail sentence by an Iranian court for dancing in front of the landmark Azadi (‘freedom’) tower in Tehran on Tuesday.
DeAgostini / Getty
The couple, both in their early twenties, posted a video of themselves dancing to their Instagram accounts, which have a combined following of over 2 million. According to reports, the couple was only arrested after posting the video to their socials.
According to an article posted on the BBC, the couple has been convicted of “promoting corruption and prostitution, colluding against national security, and propaganda against the establishment”.
Haghighi was not wearing a headscarf in the video, in defiance of the Islamic State’s strict dress code regulations for women. Last year, activists banned together to commit brave, revolutionary acts of freedom to take a stand against the state’s tight grasp on women’s freedom.
The murder of Mahsa Amini by the State’s ‘morality police’ for having an “improper hijab” last year in September was the catalyst that prompted Iranian people to take a stand together, and have their voices be heard.
Statements from the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency claim that Astiyazh and Amir have each been sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison for dancing together in public, and have been banned from using the internet and leaving the country.
ALSO SEE:
Feature Image: Pexels
