A couple in Iran, Astiyazh Haghighi and her fiance Amir Mohammad Ahmadi, are facing jail time of more than 10 years each for dancing “romantically” in front of the Azadi Tower in Tehran, the country’s capital. 

They were convicted of “encouraging public corruption and public prostitution” and were also charged with “gathering with the intention of disrupting national security.” 

Ms Haghighi, who disobeyed the country’s restrictive laws for women by refusing to wear a headscarf, and her fiancé, Mr Ahmadi, were each given a sentence of 10 years and six months in prison, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). 

Additionally, they were barred from leaving Iran and from using the internet.

According to sources close to their families quoted by HRANA, they were denied access to lawyers during the judicial proceedings, and efforts to secure their release on bail have been unsuccessful. 

The group also added that Ms Haghighi is currently held in the infamous Qarchak women’s prison outside of Tehran, a dreaded facility whose condition is often criticised by activists.