Iran Sentences Popular Singer Tataloo to Death for Alleged Blasphemy

Amir Hossein Maghsoudloo, widely known as Tataloo, faces the death penalty after a Supreme Court ruling overturned his previous sentence.

January 20, 2025, Tehran, Iran: Iranian singer Amir Hossein Maghsoudloo, better known as Tataloo, has been sentenced to death by an Iranian court following a conviction for blasphemy. The ruling comes after the Supreme Court upheld the prosecutor’s objection to his earlier five-year prison term, citing charges of insulting Prophet Mohammed.

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The reformist newspaper Etemad reported that the court reopened the case and delivered a death sentence, though the verdict is not final and can still be appealed.

Tataloo, 37, was extradited from Istanbul to Iran in December 2023 after living in Turkey since 2018. He has remained in detention in Iran since his return. In addition to the blasphemy charge, he was previously sentenced to 10 years for promoting “prostitution” and faced accusations of disseminating “propaganda” against the Iranian government and publishing “obscene content.”

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Known for blending rap, pop, and R&B, the heavily tattooed musician gained popularity among Iran’s youth. Despite his underground music roots, Tataloo briefly aligned with conservative politicians, including a televised meeting in 2017 with former ultra-conservative Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi.

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In 2015, Tataloo released a song supporting Iran’s nuclear program. The singer’s high-profile controversies have sparked mixed reactions among Iranians, with fans expressing shock over his sentencing.

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