Iranian pop star Amir Hossein Maghsoudloo, popularly known as Tataloo, has been sentenced to death for blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad.
The 37-year-old singer was initially sentenced to five years in jail but the prosecutor objected, leading to an increased punishment.
Tataloo was accused of insulting Prophet Muhammad and had been living in Istanbul since 2018. However, he was handed over to Iran by Turkish police in December 2023.
This isn’t his first run-in with the law; he was previously sentenced to 10 years in jail for promoting sexual jobs, publishing obscene content, and disseminating propaganda against the Islamic Republic.
The singer’s case has sparked international concern, with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, stating that the increase in death penalties in Iran is “deeply disturbing.”
Tataloo’s sentence can still be appealed, but the situation highlights Iran’s strict laws and punishments for blasphemy and other crimes.
