Three boys and three girls dancing in a YouTube clip that went viral earlier this month will not receive the punishments if they don't commit a similar offense within the next three years.
- September 19, 2014
AceShowbiz -
Back in May, six Iranians were arrested for dancing to Pharrell Williams' hit single "Happy" in a video that went viral on YouTube. The clip was deemed "vulgar" because the three boys are seen appearing together with three girls. Additionally, the girls are unveiled. They were later released after being forced to confess to their criminal acts and apologize on national television.
These young boys and girls have now been formally charged for the crime. Each of them has now been sentenced to six months in prison and 91 lashes. Fortunately, their attorney told Iranwire.com the sentences were suspended.
Farshid Rofugaran, the attorney, explained that "a suspended sentence becomes null and void after a certain period of time." For the group, that period will be three years. "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.
The video starring the six Iranians was shot in Tehran and was part of a global campaign launched by Pharrell. After the news about the arrest broke, Pharrell expressed his disappointment on Twitter, writing, "It's beyond sad these kids were arrested for trying to spread happiness."
