Iranians Sentenced To Jail And Lashing For Dancing To Pharrell’s “Happy”

Seven young Iranians who recorded a video of themselves dancing to Pharrell Williams' "Happy" have been sentenced to suspended jail terms and lashing. According to the Associated Press, Lawyer Farshid Rofugaran said his clients received suspended sentences of six months in jail and 91 lashes each after their video was deemed to be "indecent." One of the defendants was also charged with possessing alcohol.

"My clients did act in a video and their actions are contrary to religious requirements but are not crimes to deserve legal punishment. Saying prayers is a religious obligation in Islam but no one gets jail terms for not saying prayers," Rofugaran told The Associated Press.

"The happy part of the verdict is that it's a three-year suspended sentence. The verdicts won't be carried out unless my clients are found guilty in a court of law for the next three years," Rofugaran added.

The seven were arrested in May after posting the video online. Iranian law prevents women from dancing in public, or appearing without a hijab covering their hair. – via Celebrity Access