Controversial Iranian singer Amirhossein Maqsoodlou, better known as Amir Tataloo, has admitted to engaging in "anti-cultural and obscene" activities online, according to semi-official media.
Authorities in Türkiye apprehended the tattoo-covered artist on December 2 following a complaint filed by the Iranian authorities, and handed him over to the Islamic Republic's police on December 6, media outlets reported at the time.
Mehr news agency said that Tataloo is accused of "encouraging people to engage in corruption and prostitution, promoting these activities through the creation, dissemination of obscene artworks, operating a gambling site and urging people to participate in such activities, as well as insulting sacred Islamic things."
The report quoted the singer as saying during the investigation process that he deliberately used "immoral and sexual content to gain more attention" on social media.
It remains unclear where Tataloo has been imprisoned and whether he has been granted access to a lawyer of his choice.
The musician gained notoriety for criticizing the Iranian government's human rights record in his songs and on social media.
However, he later adopted a conservative stance and urged his fans to vote for hardliners in the 2017 presidential elections.
His most famous single, Nuclear Energy, 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 speculation he had been co-opted by the Iranian establishment.
In 2019, Instagram blocked his account due to the publication of anti-women content and the promotion of child marriage.
In his stories, Tataloo claimed he planned to establish a "Sultan's Palace" in Türkiye, and invite girls between the ages of 15 and 20 to join.
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