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The Iranian Pharrell Williams fans who filmed themselves dancing to 'Happy' earlier this year have been sentenced to prison and lashes.
The group filmed themselves dancing to the number one track in various locations around Tehran in May earlier this year. A video of the activities receiving over 175,000 views before each member was arrested by Iranian Police and charged with hurting 'public chasity', with the female members prompting controversy in the country by filmed without veils.
Everyone involved in the video has since been sentenced to six months in prison and 91 lashes each, whilst the director of the clip was handed a longer 12 month sentence, as is the law in the country.
Watch the clip that caused all the controversy below:
A campaign was started to free the fans when they were arrested earlier this year, with Pharrell himself hitting out at the Iranian police for their actions, tweeting "It's beyond sad these kids were arrested for trying to spread happiness".
However, according to Iran Wire, the group's sentences have reportedly been suspended with lawyer Farshid Rofougaran explaining "When it’s a suspended sentence, the verdict is not carried out, but if during this period a similar offence is committed, then the accused is subject to legal punishment and the suspended sentence will then be carried out as well.”
Further details on the group's situation are expected to be released soon.
