On Sunday (19th January), Iranian media reported that popular singer Amir Hossein Maghsoudloo, professionally known as Amir Tataloo, has been sentenced to death by an Iranian court.
The development followed an appeal against his conviction for blasphemy. According to a report in the newspaper Etemad, “The Supreme Court accepted the prosecutor’s objection” to a previous five-year jail term for offences including blasphemy.
It added that the case against the singer was reopened, and this time he was sentenced to death for insulting Prophet Mohammed. The verdict, however, is not final, and Amir can appeal against it.
Amir is followed by a large number of music lovers in Iran and across the Middle East. The decision came at a time when there has been a spike in crackdowns on artists and celebrities who challenge the strict cultural norms imposed by the Iranian government.
In 2018, the 37-year-old underground musician shifted to Istanbul. However, in December 2023, Turkish police handed him over to Iran. Since then, he has been living in detention. Amir has also been sentenced to 10 years for promoting “prostitution,” spreading “propaganda” against the Islamic Republic, and publishing “obscene content.”
Amir is known for combining pop, rap, and R&B in his singing. Earlier, he was courted by conservative politicians as a way to connect with young and liberal-minded people in Iran. In 2015, he published a song in support of Iran’s nuclear programme, which resurfaced in 2018.
Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmadi arrested for online concert without hijab
Amir is one of many artists facing action by Iranian authorities. On 14th December, Iranian singer Parastoo Ahmadi was arrested for performing an online concert without wearing a hijab.
Parastoo’s lawyer, Milad Panahipour, confirmed the reports to local media in Iran. Panahipour said in a statement, “As of noon today, we were unaware of the whereabouts of my client, Parastoo Ahmadi.
Regrettably, we have learned that she was arrested today in Mazandaran province.” However, later the police released the singer.
