An Iranian court has sentenced Amir Hossein Maghsoudloo, popularly known as Tataloo, to death after convicting him of blasphemy. The 37-year-old underground musician, who blends rap, pop, and R&B, had been living in Istanbul since 2018 but was extradited to Iran in December 2023. Since then, he has been held in detention.

According to local media reports on Sunday, the Supreme Court accepted the prosecutors objection to a previous five-year prison sentence issued for blasphemy and other offenses. Reformist newspaper Etemad reported that the case was reopened, leading to the harsher verdict of capital punishment for “insulting the Prophet Muhammad.”

However, the ruling is not final and remains subject to appeal, both Etemad and Iran Front Page confirmed. The retrial and subsequent death sentence overturn the initial five-year imprisonment handed down by Tehrans First Criminal Court. Media outlets indicate that the Supreme Courts intervention played a key role in revisiting the case.

In 2015, Tataloo released a song endorsing Irans nuclear program, garnering attention at a time when international relations were tense. He also made headlines for meeting with conservative politicians, including a televised engagement with then-presidential candidate Ebrahim Raisi in 2017. Yet, his provocative music and social media presence have often placed him at odds with Iranian authorities. He previously faced a 10-year sentence for promoting “prostitution,” anti-regime propaganda, and publishing “obscene content.”

Tataloos extradition from Istanbul came as a shock to his fans, who have followed his career despite government restrictions on his music. His sentencing has reignited debates about freedom of expression and the severe consequences for perceived transgressions in Iran.

Capital Punishment in Iran

Capital punishment is widely used in Iran and is enforced for a broad range of offenses, including murder, drug trafficking, blasphemy, espionage, and acts deemed threatening to national security. Iran consistently ranks among the countries with the highest number of executions globally.

Islamic law heavily influences Iran’s judicial system, with crimes categorized under Hadd (crimes against God), Qisas (retribution in kind), and Ta’zir (discretionary punishments). Execution methods include hanging, often carried out in public settings to deter others.

Blasphemy and “insulting the Prophet Muhammad” are treated with particular severity, as they are considered crimes against Islam. However, such cases frequently raise concerns about fair trial standards and human rights violations. International organizations and rights groups regularly criticize Iran for its application of the death penalty, citing its lack of transparency and its use to suppress dissent.