Roya Heshmati likened her punishment to a medieval torture chamber. She revealed her quiet act of rebellion during the actual lashing, where she whispered a song symbolic of women’s struggle for freedom.

Maziar Tataei, her lawyer, disclosed that Heshmati was initially charged with “appearing in public without a Sharia-compliant hijab.” She now faces new allegations which, according to the Islamic Republic’s judicial media, include “indecent public behavior” and connections to organized groups abroad. However, Heshmati denied these allegations, emphasizing her authenticity.