A Tehran court has issued a preliminary verdict sentencing prominent Iranian actor and former national football player Pejman Jamshidi to ninety-nine lashes. The ruling follows months of intense public speculation and legal proceedings involving the celebrity. Consequently, Jamshidi’s defense team immediately announced plans to appeal the decision within the legally mandated twenty-day period.
The case first drew widespread attention last autumn, when judicial authorities summoned and later detained the actor after a private complainant filed criminal charges against him. Although the judiciary did not officially disclose the nature of the allegations, several state-affiliated media outlets linked the investigation to misconduct claims.
Following his arrest, the court released Jamshidi on bail after he posted a financial bond. Shortly afterward, the actor traveled abroad, triggering speculation on social media that he might permanently leave Iran. However, Jamshidi later clarified that the trip was temporary and intended only to visit family members before returning to the country.
On Tuesday, defense attorney Kambiz Borjas confirmed that the legal team had formally received the court’s preliminary ruling. However, the defense declined to comment on the exact details of the punishment pending the appeals process. Meanwhile, local journalists circulated leaked judicial documents indicating that the sentence included ninety-nine discretionary lashes.
The Pejman Jamshidi legal case has intensified debate over the relationship between celebrity culture and Iran’s judicial system. In addition, the case demonstrates how leaked information and social media reporting often reveal sensitive legal developments before official confirmation. Legal analysts expect the appeals process to attract significant public and media attention in the coming weeks.