The Iranian flag. (Credit: AFP archive photo.)
Iranian Supreme Court confirmed the death sentence for famous rapper Amir Tatalou, found guilty of "blasphemy," the judiciary spokesperson announced on Saturday.
This 37-year-old singer and composer had been extradited from Turkey in December 2023 and initially sentenced to five years in prison, notably for "blasphemy." The Supreme Court overturned the verdict and sent the case to another court, which then sentenced him to death.
"The verdict has been confirmed by the Supreme Court in recent days and is ready to be executed," said judiciary spokesperson Asghar Jahangir at a press conference on Saturday. According to him, the singer's lawyer has filed two requests: a new trial and a pardon. "These requests are under review," he added.
Tatalou was one of the pioneers of rap in Iran, where he began his career in the early 2000s. Unable to obtain a license for his musical activities in his country, he moved to Istanbul in 2018. In December 2023, the judiciary announced that the artist had been handed over to Iran by Turkey following the order of a Tehran revolutionary court.
His trial opened in March 2024, with charges against him including "encouraging the young generation to prostitution," "spreading propaganda against" the Islamic Republic, and "disseminating obscene content in the form of clips and songs."
Before his departure to Turkey, Tatalou, tattooed from head to toe, had been arrested several times.