In a shocking turn of events, popular singer and rap artist Amir Hossein Maghsoudloo, also known as Tataloo, has been sentenced to prison by an Iranian court for disseminating ‘obscene content’ and blasphemy. The 36-year-old underground musician had been living in Istanbul since 2018 before Turkish authorities handed him over to Iran in December of last year. Since then, Tataloo has been in detention in Iran awaiting trial.
His lawyer, Elham Rahimifar, revealed that Tataloo received multiple ‘short and long’ jail terms, although specific details were not provided. The sentences are reportedly open to appeal, as stated by Rahimifar in an interview with state-run newspaper Jam-e Jam.
Furthermore, the Iranian judiciary’s Mizan Online website disclosed that Tataloo has been given a three-year sentence for blasphemy, with additional charges pending without further clarification. It is worth noting that in Iran, jail sentences are served concurrently.
Tataloo’s trial commenced in March, with allegations of promoting ‘prostitution’, spreading ‘propaganda’ against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and sharing ‘obscene content’. The controversial singer, recognized for his mix of rap, pop, and R&B music, was previously supported by conservative figures as a means of connecting with the country’s youthful, liberal demographic.
Notably, Tataloo made headlines in 2015 when he released a song in support of Iran’s nuclear program amid turbulent negotiations between Tehran and global powers. This latest development in his legal battle has sparked outrage and raised concerns about freedom of expression in Iran’s entertainment industry. Stay tuned for more updates on this shocking case.