'Happy' Iranians Get Suspended Sentences

A still photo from the Iranian "Happy" video

Six young Iranian men and women videotaped dancing to Pharrell Williams' hit "Happy" have been given suspended jail and lashing sentences.

Lawyer Farshid Rofugaran said on September 19 that a Tehran court handed the six defendants and the video's producer sentences of six months in jail and lashes.

But the court suspended the sentences, meaning they will not be jailed or receive lashes unless they violate the terms of the sentencing.

Amnesty International said: "With these sentences, the absurd meets the unjust."

The seven men and women were arrested in May and released on bail after appearing on state television and expressing remorse for appearing in the clip.

The clip, watched on YouTube more than 1 million times, shows three unveiled girls and three young men dancing and singing in a room, on rooftops, and in secluded alleys.

Based on reporting by AFP and AP