Rapper Amir Tataloo has been found guilty of “spreading Western immorality”.
Iran’s Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance has never approved the musician despite his popularity. The authorities repeatedly rejected Amir Tataloo’s applications for a licence to make music and perform. According to the country’s laws, it is forbidden to broadcast, record or perform music in public without official permission. Like many artists in Iran, the musician had to perform underground due to censorship.
After the sentence was announced, Tataloo published the following statement for 3.5 million followers on Instagram:
“God, I am satisfied if it is Your will!! You have the person who belongs to You and is ready to give his life for You!! If You say, I will lay at Your feet! I am here. I don’t wear sheep’s clothing, because being in prison in my country is better than being free, obeying someone else’s rules and violating my own principles!! I will continue training to become a champion if I am not imprisoned. If I am imprisoned, You are great, You give me strength to serve You and stand before You at the end of my life. Your will be done.”
Amir Tataloo is in a high security prison where political prisoners and prisoners of conscience are held. Iran’s prosecutor’s office recently charged Parviz Tanavoli, one of the country’s most famous sculptures, of disturbing the public peace. His passport was confiscated and he was banned from leaving the country. In June, three independent music distributors began to serve their three-year sentences for making and distributing music. In May, eight women were arrested in Iran for posting their photos without headscarves on Instagram.
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