IRAN - Amir Hossein Maghsoudloo, known as Tataloo

IRAN - Conflicting news on Tataloo's case

May 19, 2025:

May 19, 2025 - IRAN. Conflicting news on Tataloo's case

Some sources reported that according to his lawyers the death sentence had been overturned, others reported that the death sentence had instead been upheld by the Supreme Court, and the file sent to the execution offices.

On 17 May, IHR reported a statement on the same day by Asghar Jahangir, a spokesman for the Iranian judiciary, that the death sentence for blasphemy of Amirhossein Maghsoudloo, known as Tataloo, had been upheld by the Supreme Court and sent for implementation.

Calling on the international community to take a stand against yet another death sentence for simple crimes of opinion, IHR summarised the case as follows.

“Amirhossein Maghsoudlou, known by his stage name Tataloo, was born on 21 September 20 1987, and was an underground singer who began his career in the early 2000s. As unlike in the free world, the release of music in Iran requires a license from the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, “underground music” means “unauthorised” music in this context.

In the Spring of 2008, authorities pursued Tataloo in an attempt to crackdown on what they called “illegal studios,” and he lived in hiding on Kish Island for several months. Tataloo was arrested and released many times in Iran since the 2010s. These arrests ranged from the morality police to the Ministry of Intelligence.

Tataloo briefly retired from music in 2017 under pressure from security agencies, and in 2018, following the authorities’ opposition to holding concerts and artistic activities, he immigrated to Turkey. He did not last long in Turkey and was forced to return to Iran.

Tataloo gained many opponents in Iranian society with his contradictory political and social stances, from attacking government institutions to defending them, as well as through his comments on social media about sexual relations with underage girls, which led to accusations of sexual abuse of underage girls.

Tataloo was arrested after returning to Iran.

The latest developments in his case were announced 17 May at a press conference by the judiciary spokesman. Asghar Jahangir said: “In this case, the individual in question was facing two charges. The first charge is encouraging corruption and prostitution, for which he was sentenced to 10 years in prison by Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court, and this sentence is currently being enforced, and this person is in prison for this sentence.”

He added: “For the other charge, which was insulting sanctities, he was sentenced to 5 years in prison by Branch 9 of the First Criminal Court of Tehran. On appeal, the Supreme Court overturned the ruling and sent the case to a court of equal standing, Branch 6 of the First Criminal Court, for consideration. This branch issued the death sentence for the individual in question, which was appealed, and in recent days, the Supreme Court has upheld the court’s verdict and sent it to the court for enforcement.”

According to Jahangir, Tataloo's lawyers have filed two requests under Article 114 of the Islamic Penal Code (based on the defendant's repentance) and Article 477 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (judicial review), which are currently under review.

Tataloo is currently held in the Greater Tehran Penitentiary. In recent days, several sports figures have opposed Tataloo's death sentence.”

On 13 May, however, other sources, including Iranwire, summarised the facts differently.

“Lawyers have confirmed that the death sentence for Iranian rapper Amir Hossein Maghsoudloo, known as Amir Tataloo, has been overturned.

Lawyer Majid Naghshi announced on Instagram that authorities have accepted their request to apply Article 477 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which allows for the review of final verdicts in special cases.

“Article 477 has been registered, and with the judiciary’s order, the verdict has been overturned,” wrote Tataloo’s sister, Naghmeh, on Instagram, confirming that proceedings are underway.

Tataloo is serving a 10-year prison sentence for “encouraging corruption.”

His other charges include “propaganda activities against the Islamic Republic,” “operating a gambling website,” “publishing obscene content,” and “inciting immoral crimes.”

The judiciary-affiliated Mizan News Agency previously reported “numerous complaints” against Tataloo, including from teenagers and their families.

Court documents mentioned a letter of remorse written by Tataloo, expressing his desire to marry, have children, and pursue music “in the right way.”

He reportedly took responsibility for his actions, saying, “Many of my behaviors have been wrong. I apologize for my mistakes. I didn’t get proper training, and I made a mistake.”

On December 4, 2023, Iranian media reported that Turkish police arrested Tataloo following a complaint from the Iranian consulate in Istanbul, accusing him of harassing members and staff. He was subsequently handed over to Iranian police.”

As of 19 May Hands off Cain has found no evidence to say whether one version or the other is more correct. On the Tataloo case see also HoC 14/07/2022, 19/01/2025, 16/04/2025.

https://iranhr.net/en/articles/7558/
https://iranwire.com/en/society/141154-iranian-rapper-tataloos-death-sentence-overturned/