Controversial Iranian Musician Amir Tataloo Faces Trial in Tehran

One of Iran's most well-known and controversial musicians, Amir Tataloo, stood trial in Tehran on Monday, according to state media.

According to Mizan news agency, affiliated with the judiciary, the indictment against the musician was presented during the hearing, yet specific accusations were not disclosed.

Fars news agency reported last year that Tataloo faces allegations including producing, sending, distributing, and publishing "obscene" works, such as clips, songs, and images containing vulgar and explicit content.

Other accusations mentioned in the Fars report include "establishing a gambling operation, inciting individuals to access obscene content, encouraging crimes against chastity and sexual perversions, and promoting corruption and prostitution."

On December 4 last year, Iranian media reported that the Turkish police arrested Tataloo, whose real name is Amirhossein Maghsoudloo, following a complaint from the Iranian consulate in Istanbul accusing him of harassing members and staff.

He was subsequently handed over to the Iranian police.

The tattooed musician gained notoriety for criticizing the Iranian government's human rights record in his songs and on social media.

However, Tataloo later adopted a conservative stance and urged his fans to vote for hardliners in the 2017 presidential elections.

His most famous single, 'Nuclear Energy,' which was released before the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, asserted Iran's right to self-defense. The accompanying music video, shot on a warship in the Persian Gulf, fueled speculations that the Iranian establishment had co-opted him.

Instagram blocked Tataloo's account in 2019 for anti-women content and for promoting child marriage. In his Instagram stories, Tataloo claimed he planned to establish a "Sultan's Palace" in Türkiye and invite girls between 15 and 20 to join.