The news outlet Emtedad reported that the conviction of actor Pejman Jamshidi, who was sentenced to 99 lashes on charges of “illicit relations” (rabeteh-ye nasher’i), has been officially upheld following a review by the Supreme Court of Iran.
Journalist Elaheh Mohammadi, quoting the complainant in the case, Melika Parsadoust, wrote that Branch 9 of Tehran’s Criminal Court I issued the initial ruling, which was subsequently affirmed in full by Branch 29 of the Supreme Court following an appeal.
According to the report, the charge was tried under Article 637 of the Islamic Penal Code (Discretionary Punishments section). Under this statute, illicit relations carry a penalty of up to 99 lashes; in cases where the act is committed under duress or coercion, the punishment applies exclusively to the coercing party. Emtedad noted that both Criminal Court I and the Supreme Court handed down the 99-lash sentence solely to Pejman Jamshidi.
Addressing the finality of the ruling, Melika Parsadoust stated that the binding decision proves that the “false narratives” surrounding the case were completely baseless.
She emphasised that she would not allow her ordeal to be redefined by alternative narratives, reiterating that she has characterised the event as “sexual violence” from the outset.
