Judiciary Spokesperson Reports on Tataloo's 'Objection' to Court Ruling; Case is in Appeal Stage

Asghar Jahangir, the spokesperson for the judiciary, announced today that Amir Hossein Maghsoudloo (Tataloo) has filed an 'objection' to the ruling issued against him 'within the stipulated time,' and the case is currently in the appeal stage, stating that 'given that the case is at this stage, the publication of the ruling is not permissible.' Previously, following the issuance of the ruling by the court, Elham Rahimi Far, Tataloo's appointed lawyer, told Mehr News Agency that Tataloo has 'complied' with part of the court's ruling and 'submitted to the ruling,' but will also exercise his right to appeal in other parts of the issued ruling. Rahimi Far stated that 'his condition in prison is suitable and he does not have any specific physical problems,' but the judiciary has not yet agreed to his release on bail or other measures. She emphasized that they will appeal the parts of the sentences where judges considered 'the harshest punishment.' It was previously announced that Tataloo was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to 10 years in prison for 'encouraging corruption and prostitution,' 2 years for 'inviting people to gamble,' and 5 years for 'propaganda activities contrary to and disruptive of the holy Islamic law.' He also had a case regarding 'insulting the Prophet' and 'insulting sacred beliefs' in the Tehran Criminal Court, where he was acquitted of the charge of insulting the Prophet but sentenced to 3 years for insulting sacred beliefs. Tataloo's appointed lawyer spoke about the importance of 'proper management' of such cases, reminding that 'such cases must be accompanied by proper management as it is part of the proper case management work. I told his mother some points, and she had a motherly patience even though there were pressures on her.' Rahimi Far emphasized that 'there was good management and cooperation in this case from the family, especially his respected mother, and she fully cooperated with the defendant's lawyers.' It is unclear what details are included in what has been referred to as 'proper management' and 'cooperation' from Tataloo's family. However, during one of the court sessions, the case lawyer claimed without providing details that 'hostile governments have laid out the red carpet for instrumental use of people like Amir Hossein Maghsoudloo.' Tataloo's court sessions were covered by official government media, and images and details of the sessions were published by official media. This was while the court sessions of several artists who are considered critics and oppositional, including Tomaj Salehi, who was arrested and tried during the nationwide protests of 1401, were held behind closed doors and secretly. The last court session for Amir Hossein Maghsoudloo was held on Tuesday, 17 Ordibehesht, presided over by Iman Afshari in Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. According to the Mizan News Agency, affiliated with the judiciary, this imprisoned singer expressed regret once again in the last court session, stating: 'I apologize for the mistakes I made.' Maghsoudloo was arrested in Turkey on 15 Azar 1402 following a complaint from the Islamic Republic's consulate in Istanbul and was handed over to Iranian authorities. Tataloo, born in 1987 in Tehran, is considered one of the first underground singers in Iran who gained fame in the 80s and 90s of the Iranian calendar. This singer is regarded as one of the most controversial Iranian musicians due to his numerous tattoos, unconventional appearance, and the controversial content of his songs, videos, and posts on social media. His support for Ebrahim Raisi during the presidential election campaign in 1396 and the release of a video of their meeting received widespread attention on social media.