Long Prison Sentence Issued for Amir Tataloo; Lawyer Reports Ruling Delivered to Defendant

Mohammad Ghamkhvar, a crime reporter in Iran, announced via a video that a court ruling has been issued against Amir Hossein Maghsoudloo (Amir Tataloo). The details of the ruling have not been disclosed, but according to Elham Rahimifar, the defendant's lawyer, the court has issued 'short-term and long-term prison sentences and supplementary and complementary punishments' for him. Rahimifar stated in this interview that 'a decision has not yet been made' on whether to appeal the ruling and take the case to the appellate court. Shortly after this news was announced, the website 'Fararozeh' published details of the ruling based on a 'reliable source.' Accordingly, Amir Hossein Maghsoudloo was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to 10 years in prison for 'encouraging people towards corruption and prostitution,' 2 years for 'inviting people to gambling,' and 5 years for 'propagating activities contrary to and disruptive of the sacred Islamic law.' According to Fararozeh, Tataloo also had a case regarding the charges of 'insulting the Prophet' and 'insulting sacred values' in the Tehran Criminal Court, where he was acquitted of the charge of insulting the Prophet but sentenced to 3 years for insulting sacred values. The rulings issued are preliminary and can be appealed within 20 days in the appellate court. The last court session for Amir Hossein Maghsoudloo was held on Tuesday, May 6, 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.' According to domestic media reports, Amir Hossein Maghsoudloo had also expressed remorse in the previous court session for his 'mistakes.' Elham Rahimifar, Tataloo's lawyer, had previously informed the 'Ensaf News' website about the issuance of her client's ruling within a week and predicted that her client's 'repentance' would influence the court's ruling. Rahimifar claimed in part of her defense that 'hostile governments have laid out a red carpet for the instrumental use of people like Amir Hossein Maghsoudloo.' She did not provide further explanation on this matter. The charges against Amir Hossein Maghsoudloo (Tataloo) include 'encouraging the youth towards corruption and prostitution,' 'propagating against the regime,' 'establishing a gambling website and encouraging others to do so,' 'drug use,' 'colluding against national security by advising supporters,' and 'educational and propagandistic activities contrary to Islamic law.' According to Mizan, this singer stated in the last court session: 'I did not intend to promote drugs; I wanted to introduce a plant-based alternative for those addicted to alcohol and drugs to have less harm, which was a mistake, and I accept my mistake.' While judiciary officials have reported the formation of multiple cases against 'Tataloo,' some media have also published reports about private complainants against this singer. Maghsoudloo was arrested in Turkey on December 6, 2023, 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 2000s and 2010s. This singer is regarded as one of the most controversial Iranian artists 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 2017 and the release of a video of their meeting received widespread attention on social media. The last trial session for Tataloo was held; Tataloo's lawyer: His repentance will likely affect the court's ruling. The second trial session for 'Tataloo' was held in the Tehran Revolutionary Court. The investigator's claim: Tataloo has written a letter of repentance; he wants to start a family. The first session of Tataloo's court was held with the reading of the indictment. An indictment has been issued for Amir Tataloo; a warning about the possibility of the charge of 'corruption on earth' for this singer.