Iran Upholds Death Sentence for Underground Singer Tataloo, But Legal Review Underway

Iran’s judiciary has upheld the death sentence against underground musician Amir Hossein Maghsoudloo, known as Tataloo, even as formal appeals and legal petitions could delay or potentially halt the execution.

Judiciary spokesperson Asghar Jahangir announced on Saturday that the Supreme Court has confirmed the ruling on charges of insulting the Prophet of Islam, making the sentence legally executable.

“Due to petitions submitted by the defense, including a request for clemency and a declaration of repentance, the sentence may be suspended pending further review,” Jahangir stated.

The controversial case has drawn widespread backlash on social media and among Iranian celebrities, prompting Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei to authorize a review under Article 477. The article allows for a retrial if a verdict is found to contradict Islamic law, Tataloo’s lawyer Majid Naghshi told Fars News Agency.

“This is a one-time legal procedure,” Naghshi explained. “It marks progress in the legal process, though no final decision has been made yet.”

Tataloo was initially acquitted of blasphemy, but the ruling was challenged by a Tehran prosecutor. A retrial in a separate court resulted in a death sentence, which was later upheld by the Supreme Court. The singer remains in Fashafuyeh Prison, where he is also serving a 10-year sentence on charges related to promoting “corruption,” violating Islamic norms, running a gambling platform, and sharing obscene content.