- By Shivangi Sharma
- Mon, 09 Jun 2025 05:12 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Iran’s Supreme Court has reportedly sentenced controversial Iranian pop star Amir Hossein Maghsoudloo, known professionally as Amir Tataloo, to death for blasphemy, including insulting the Prophet Mohammed. The decision came after an earlier five-year prison sentence was overturned following objections raised by a prosecutor.
Born on September 21, 1987, Amir Tataloo is a pioneering figure in Iran’s underground hip hop and R&B scene. Known for his full-body tattoos and outspoken views on politics, religion, and youth culture, he has long been a lightning rod for controversy in the Islamic Republic.
Tataloo released his debut album Zire Hamkaf in 2011 and has since launched 21 albums, including Fereshteh in 2021. He also became the first Iranian artist to collaborate with Universal Music Group, marking a rare international recognition for someone from Iran's underground music scene.
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Frequent Arrests And Exile In Turkey
Tataloo's career has been marred by multiple arrests by Iranian authorities, particularly in 2016 and 2018, for alleged moral and political transgressions. In 2018, he fled to Turkey, where he continued his music career with large-scale concerts not permitted in Iran. However, his legal troubles followed him there.
In December 2023, Turkish authorities handed Tataloo over to Iranian police after initially detaining him for attempting to travel with an expired Iranian passport. He was arrested upon entry into Iran due to various pending charges, including blasphemy and corruption.
Controversial Comments And Public Backlash
In 2020, he was briefly detained by Turkish authorities over visa issues, prompting an online petition for his release that drew nearly half a million signatures. In the same year, he made disturbing comments supporting child marriage, which drew widespread condemnation and further damaged his public image.
Apart from his music and controversies, Tataloo is known for promoting veganism, calling himself “Nature’s Son” and often urging fans to embrace cruelty-free lifestyles.