Iranian star sentenced to 99 lashes after rape accusation

The initial decision was made by the 9th Branch of the Tehran Criminal Court. After an appeal by the defense, the case reached the 29th Section of the Supreme Court, which fully confirmed the sentence, according to information attributed to the complainant, Melika Parsadoust, and published by the Iranian press.

Why was Pejman Jamshidi sentenced to 99 lashes?

The conviction was based on article 637 of Iran's Islamic Penal Code. The rule punishes with up to 99 lashes acts considered indecent between a man and a woman who are not married to each other, without adultery having occurred as defined by local legislation.

The same article establishes that, when the act is carried out through force or coercion, only the person responsible for the violence must receive the punishment. In the case against Jamshidi, only the actor was convicted.

Parsadoust stated that this aspect of the decision overturns versions according to which the relationship would have been consensual. The full text of the judgment, however, was not disclosed, and the interpretation presented by the complainant does not equate to a conviction for rape.

Actor was accused of rape and kidnapping

The case became public in October 2025, when Jamshidi was arrested on charges of rape and kidnapping. The complainant, then a young aspiring actress, stated that the artist had promised to help her get a role and invited her to his home, where the abuse allegedly occurred.

The actor was later released on bail. After leaving prison, he traveled legally to Turkey and then went to Canada, where part of his family lives. His departure from the country provoked criticism and questions in Iran, but there was, at that time, no court order preventing him from traveling.

Jamshidi returned to Iran and participated in the hearings held in early 2026. Throughout the process, he denied the accusations made against him.

Supreme Court acquits actor of rape charge

The Iranian court did not consider the crime of rape, which can lead to the death penalty in the country, proven. The court, however, understood that there were elements to convict Jamshidi for “illegal relationship”, an infraction classified as a crime against public morality.

The complainant stated that the decision does not repair the physical and emotional damages she claims to have suffered, but considered relevant the fact that the punishment was applied only to the actor. She also said the trial would demonstrate that the versions used to discredit her were unfounded.

Case sparked debate about sexual violence in Iran

The accusation against one of the most popular figures in Iranian entertainment gained great repercussion and triggered an unusual debate about sexual violence, gender inequality and the difficulties faced by women seeking justice in the country.

The reformist newspaper Ham-Mihan published accounts of the young woman, her mother and her lawyer. Shortly afterwards, the vehicle's website was blocked by Iranian authorities, amid criticism from conservative sectors regarding the coverage of the case.

Before becoming an actor, Pejman Jamshidi played as a professional player and reached the Iranian national team. Later, he established himself as one of the best-known names in cinema and television in the country.

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