Iran confirms singer’s death sentence, hints at possible reversal amid outcry

Iran’s judiciary has upheld the death sentence of underground singer Amir Hossein Maghsoudloo, known as Tataloo, while confirming that formal appeals are under review and could delay or halt the execution.

Judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangir said on Saturday that the Supreme Court has validated the ruling for insulting the Prophet of Islam, making it executable.

“Given the petitions filed by defense lawyers, including a request for clemency and repentance, the sentence may be suspended pending review,” he said.

Following backlash from social media users and celebrities over his death sentence, Iran's Judiciary chief agreed to review the death sentence against the controversial underground singer under Article 477, which allows for a case to be reexamined if the verdict contradicts Islamic law, Tataloo's lawyer Majid Naghshi told Fars News Agency.

“It’s a one-time legal procedure,” Naghshi said. “This is a step forward, though no final decision has been issued.”

Tataloo was initially acquitted of blasphemy charges, but a Tehran prosecutor challenged the verdict. A parallel court issued the death sentence after a retrial, and the Supreme Court later confirmed it.

Tataloo is simultaneously serving a 10-year sentence for “encouraging corruption and vice” in Tehran’s Fashafuyeh prison. According to judiciary-linked outlets, the charges stem from his social media activity, which allegedly promoted immoral behavior, gambling, and sexual content.

The 37-year-old artist was once courted by state-linked figures: he performed a pro-nuclear anthem in 2015 and appeared alongside presidential candidate Ebrahim Raisi in 2017.

However, he was later cast out as a corrupting influence. He relocated to Istanbul in 2018, where his online conduct drew criticism, including posts inviting underage girls to join a “Sultan’s Palace.” Instagram removed his account in 2019 for misogynistic content and promoting child marriage.

He was arrested by Turkish police in December 2023 after Iran’s consulate in Istanbul accused him of harassment. He was later extradited and detained at the Bazargan border.

Tataloo’s case has galvanized a wide range of Iranian public figures. Rapper Toomaj Salehi, footballer Mehdi Taremi, actress Sahar Ghoreishi and bodybuilder Hadi Choopan all condemned the sentence.

His legal team maintains that the execution order followed “extralegal severity” and that the original acquittal was improperly reversed. The final ruling now hinges on whether the judiciary finds the current sentence incompatible with Sharia.