Six young men and women who appeared in an online video lip-syncing to Pharell's viral hit, Happy, were arrested in May for obscene behavior and on Thursday, were given suspended sentences of six months in prison and 91 lashes. A seventh defendant, who directed the video, was given a suspended sentence of one year in prison as well as the lashes.

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According to their lawyer, Farshid Rofugaran, the suspended sentences mean that if any of the men and women involved in the video are found guilty of similar offences within the next three years, the jail term and lashes will be carried out.

The four women defendants appeared in the lip-sync and dance video not wearing their head scarves - a violation of the Islamic dress code that has been enforced since the 1979 Islamic revolution.

The friends uploaded the homemade video to YouTube entitled, Happy in Tehran, as their contribution to Pharell's viral video campaign to promote the U.Ns International Day of Happiness. 

In an interview, the group stated that they wanted to change the perception of Iran as a rough place and instead demonstrate that the capital was full of vibrant, lively, and happy young people.

However, Police Chief Hossein Sajedinia said that the clip was vulgar and was an assault on "public chastity."

When the arrests were first announced, Pharell took to Twitter to express his sadness over the ordeal the young men and women were going through just because they desired to share their happiness through a video.

President Hassan Rouhani indirectly criticized the actions authorities took as well.  Earlier in September, he was quoted as saying to a group of conservative clerics in Mashhad that the strong arm tactics of policemen were not the solution to problems with cultural issues.  

Rofugaran said that his clients were pleased with the suspended sentences which become null and void after the time period is over.   

TagsPharell Happy, Happy in Tehran, Viral Video, Iran Happy Singers, Iran, Happy, happy video, Tehran, lashes, obscene behavior