Tehran, Jan 20 (V7N)— Iranian pop singer Amir Hossein Maghsudlu, popularly known as Tatalu, has been sentenced to death by an Iranian court for insulting the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), according to a report by The Guardian on Monday.

The court revisited the case after accepting the Supreme Court prosecutor's objection to a previous five-year prison sentence. Alongside the charge of blasphemy, Tatalu was convicted of several other offenses, including promoting "prostitution," propaganda against the Islamic Republic, and publishing "obscene material."

Tatalu, 37, had been living in Istanbul, Turkey, since 2018. However, Turkish authorities extradited him to Iran in December 2023. Following his return, the reopened trial led to the death sentence for blasphemy. Additionally, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison for other charges.

The ruling is not final and can still be appealed.

Known for his massive fan following and provocative lyrics, Tatalu has long been a polarising figure in Iran. In 2015, he released a song in support of Iran's nuclear program, which later became a point of controversy during Donald Trump’s administration in 2018.

In 2017, Tatalu had an unusual televised meeting with Iran's ultra-conservative President Ebrahim Raisi, raising eyebrows across the political spectrum.

The sentencing has sparked widespread debate online, with many fans expressing shock and disbelief over the harsh punishment. Human rights groups have also criticised the decision, calling it an attack on freedom of expression.

This case marks yet another instance of Iran's stringent laws being enforced against cultural figures, further highlighting the country's ongoing struggle between conservatism and modernisation.

END/RH/AJ