Iran's 'Happy' dancers sentenced to 91 lashes

The seven young Iranians filmed dancing in Tehran have been given a suspended sentence of 91 lashes each and prison time.

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The group were arrested in May for their part in a YouTube video, which showed three men and three unveiled women dancing on the streets and rooftops of Tehran to the soundtrack of Pharrell Williams' song, 'Happy'.

The clip – viewed more than 1.6 million times – was described as “vulgar” by police, adding that it had "hurt public chastity".

According to independent English-langaue site Iran Wire, six of the group were sentenced to six months in prison and 91 lashes.

One of them was given a sentence of one year in prison and 91 lashes, a story posted overnight stated.

All sentences suspended were suspended and will become null and void after three years, their lawyer Farshid Rofugaran said.

“When it’s a suspended sentence, the verdict is not carried out, but if during this period a similar offense is committed, then the accused is subject to legal punishment and the suspended sentence will then be carried out as well,” he said.
Following their arrest in May, state-run television broadcast what it reported as a video confession from the dancers.

In the edited video, the dancers were filmed from behind saying they were tricked into making the video.

"They told me they are making a feature film and they had a permit for it," one of the six said in the video.

On Twitter, Williams said: "It's beyond sad these kids were arrested for trying to spread happiness."


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Iran's 'Happy' dancers sentenced to 91 lashes | SBS News