An Iranian court has allegedly sentenced a famous Iranian singer and rapper to death on appeal for blasphemy against the Prophet Muhammad, with the Iranian judiciary denying the reports made by local media.
This is horrific. Blasphemy laws shouldn't even exist - let alone the death penalty for 'insulting' religious feelings. We call on @FCDOGovUK to make urgent representations to save Tataloo. https://t.co/c0nX5LZRvR
— National Secular Society (@NatSecSoc) January 20, 2025
The report about the death sentence against Amir Hossein Maghsoudloo, also known as Tataloo, was first published by Jame Jam, which is affiliated with Iran’s state broadcaster, and was later picked up by other Iranian newspapers, including the reformist Etemad newspaper.
“The Supreme Court accepted the prosecutor’s objection” to previous five-year imprisonment on offenses including blasphemy, the newspaper said, adding that “the case was reopened, and this time the defendant was sentenced to death for insulting the prophet,” referring to the Prophet Muhammad.
The report added that the verdict was not final and could still be appealed against. However, the media office of the Iranian judiciary dismissed the reports, adding that the final verdict has not yet been issued.
Extradited from Turkey to Iran.
Wait a second... doesnt the US give billions to Turkey each year in foreign aid and military assistance?
And they essentially give some dude over to the Iranians who want to kill him for his artistic freedom?
Why is the US allies with Turkey?— Marauder Magazine (@MarauderMag) January 20, 2025
"He has recently become eligible for leniency under legal provisions. Leniency provisions, or legal reprieves, are measures outlined in criminal law to assist convicts in line with the restorative justice approach," the Iranian Judiciary said.
His blasphemy charge was also reportedly overturned and referred to a parallel court after the prosecutor objected to the verdict issued by the Ninth Branch of the Criminal Court.
The 37-year-old underground musician, once a vocal supporter of the Iranian regime, had been living in Istanbul, Turkey, since 2018 before Turkish authorities extradited him to Iran in December 2023 and has been held in detention since.
Islam has no place on earth we will never have peace when this cult is active
— Dr Lucy (@_kariadur) January 20, 2025
Last year, multiple prison sentences were handed against him after trials starting in March accused Tataloo of several offenses, including "prostitution," disseminating "propaganda" against the Islamic Republic, and publishing “obscene content.”
Known for his distinctive tattoos and fusion of rap, pop, and R&B, Tataloo was previously courted by conservative politicians to reach out to young, liberal-minded Iranians. He even once participated in a televised meeting with former President Ebrahim Raisi, who later died in a helicopter crash.
He published a song in 2015 in support of Iran’s nuclear program, which the Islamic Republic had to dismantle in exchange for sanctions relief, a deal that was later publicized during Donald Trump’s first term in office as US President in 2018.
