Iranian pop star Amir Hossein Maghsoudloo, known by his stage name Tataloo, has reportedly been sentenced to death after being found guilty of insulting the Prophet Muhammad. The decision followed a retrial, with Iran’s Supreme Court overturning a previous five-year prison sentence for blasphemy.
The case, which had originally resulted in a five-year sentence, was reopened after the prosecutor appealed. Tataloo’s death sentence came after an appeal and intervention by the Supreme Court, though reports indicate that the verdict is not final and could still be challenged.
Iran’s judiciary has denied the reports of the death sentence, stating that a final verdict has not been issued yet. Tataloo, 37, was extradited from Istanbul to Iran in December 2023 and has been in detention since. Known for blending rap, pop, and R&B, Tataloo’s past has been marked by controversy. He previously faced a 10-year sentence for promoting “prostitution” and charges related to anti-regime propaganda and publishing obscene content.
Despite his reputation, Tataloo once engaged with conservative Iranian politicians, including a televised meeting with late President Ebrahim Raisi in 2017. He also released a song supporting Iran’s nuclear program in 2015.
The death sentence news came amid heightened tensions in Iran, as two judges, Ali Razini and Mohammad Moghisseh, known for handling national security and terrorism cases, were killed in a shooting at the Supreme Court. The judiciary described the assailant as a “terrorist” who killed himself after the attack.
Iran’s execution rate has surged in 2024, with at least 901 executions recorded, marking a significant increase from the previous year. UN human rights chief Volker Turk has condemned the rising number of executions, urging Iran to halt the growing trend of capital punishment.
