Iranian singer and rapper Tataloo, whose real name is Amir Hossein Maghsoudloo, has reportedly been sentenced to death for blasphemy, thereby reviving a six-month-old case. According to Iran Front Page, the Supreme Court “accepted the prosecutor’s objection” to sentencing Tataloo with a five-year prison term in a retrial, instead, issuing him with a death penalty for the sabb al-nabi, or insulting Prophet Muhammad. The First Branch of Tehran’s Criminal Court was the authority that reportedly passed the sentence, which will be appealed in the Supreme Court, as the decision is not final.
Tataloo faced accusations of promoting prostitution, disseminating propaganda against the Islamic Republic, as well as other charges in early 2024 before he was arrested. The 37-year-old was extradited from Turkey, where he was living since 2018, to Iran in December 2023 after complaints were made against him in Istanbul. Tataloo has been known for courting controversy and has been an outspoken supporter of Iran’s nuclear programme and the marriage of young citizens under 16.
While being prosecuted, Tataloo stated, “I have certainly made mistakes and many of my behaviours have been wrong; I apologise for my mistakes.” The Judiciary in Iran has denied the death sentence claims, and a statement by authorities citing the eligibility of Tataloo for “leniency under legal provisions” has circulated.
Tataloo has been a prominent figure in Iranian music for over 10 years, having released 21 studio albums since 2011 and making history as the first Iranian to collaborate with Universal Music Group. Among other accomplishments, he also composed Iran’s national football team’s anthem for the 2014 FIFA World Cup
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