Tattoo-Covered Musician Tataloo Apologizes During Court Appearance

The second trial of tattoo-covered Iranian musician Amir Tataloo took place in Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran on Tuesday.

Tataloo faces allegations including producing, sending, distributing, and publishing "obscene" works, such as clips, songs, and images containing vulgar and explicit content. 

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

Regarding the accusation of operating a gambling and betting site, Tataloo stated on Tuesday, "I was not the owner of the betting site. The owners of betting sites are known. I was only involved in its promotion." 

He further explained, "During that time, an Interpol notice was issued for me, leading to my arrest in Turkey. Following my arrest, I was released with the assistance of the primary operators of the betting and gambling site, who subsequently provided me with a villa."

Reflecting on his online activities during the protests of 2022, he admitted, "At that time, a renowned actress, now residing in Turkey, encouraged me to produce a song. However, I later recognized my error and deleted the song."

During another segment of the court session, he expressed remorse, stating, "I apologize for all my mistakes," in connection with the accusation of "producing and disseminating indecent and immoral content."

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,' 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 that the Iranian establishment had co-opted him.

Instagram blocked Tataloo's account in 2019 for anti-women content and 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.