An Iranian pop singer was sentenced to death after he was convicted of insulting Prophet Mohammed.
The singer, identified as Tataloo, was originally serving a five-year term in jail for blasphemy.
The prosecution reopened the case and appealed the charge, following which the Supreme Court upheld its objection. The court convicted Tataloo of insulting the Prophet and handed him death penalty.
Who is Tataloo?
Tataloo, whose real name is Amir Hossein Maghsoudloo, is an Iranian underground musician. The 37-year-old is heavily tattooed. He is known for fusion of rap, pop and R&B
He had been living in Istanbul since 2018. However, in December 2023, the Turkish authorities handed over him to Iran. He made headlines in 2017 for a televised meeting with former Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash last year.
Tataloo's 2015 song supporting Iran's nuclear programme also courted controversy when Donald Trump was in his first term as US President.
The verdict is not final and the singer can still appeal the death sentence.
The man was also sentenced to 10 years for promoting prostitution, besides charges of publishing obscene content and disseminating propaganda against the country.