Six Iranians arrested for making a video of themselves dancing to Pharrell‘s “Happy” have been officially sentenced.
Iran Wire reports that the group was sentenced on Wednesday (Sept. 17) to six months in jail, plus 91 lashings. One member, purportedly the director, was given an additional six months in prison.
However, as long as they don’t commit any offenses over the next three years, those involved may not receive their punishment after all — because it is a suspended sentence, explains their lawyer, Farshid Rofugaran.
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“A suspended sentence becomes null and void after a certain period of time,” 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.”
