An Iranian singer who won a Grammy presented by U.S. first lady Jill Biden has been sentenced to more than three years in prison over his anthem supporting the 2022 protests over the death of Mahsa Amini. Shervin Hajipour posted on Instagram on Friday, the same day that Iran held its parliamentary election, what appeared to be part of the judgment against him.
Quick Read
- Grammy Recognition: An Iranian singer, celebrated with a Grammy by U.S. First Lady Jill Biden, has been sentenced to over three years in prison due to his anthem that supported the 2022 protests following Mahsa Amini’s death.
- Charges and Sentence: Shervin Hajipour faced charges of “propaganda against the system” and “inciting protests,” resulting in a three-year, eight-month prison term. The court also criticized him for not showing sufficient remorse for his song.
- Additional Penalties: Beyond imprisonment, Hajipour is subjected to a two-year travel ban and is mandated to produce a song about “U.S. crimes” and share related content online.
- Public Response: Despite his sentence, Hajipour expressed gratitude towards his legal team and chose not to name the judge or prosecutor to avoid any potential backlash against them.
- Legal Status: Hajipour, who was initially detained and then released on bail, now faces the commencement of his prison term. The specifics of his incarceration status remain unclear.
- International Silence: On the day of Iran’s parliamentary elections, there was no immediate coverage of Hajipour’s sentencing by Iranian state media, nor any comments from Iran’s UN mission.
- Song’s Impact: “Baraye,” Hajipour’s song, encapsulated the sentiments of young Iranians protesting for freedom and women’s rights, sparked by Amini’s death, which was allegedly due to her non-compliance with the headscarf mandate.
- Protest and Crackdown: The song underscored the nationwide protests that demanded an end to Iran’s theocratic governance, leading to a severe security response with over 500 fatalities and thousands of arrests.
- International Recognition: Jill Biden highlighted “Baraye” as an anthem for the Amini protests during the Grammy Awards, acknowledging its call for freedom and women’s rights.
- Wider Repression: Hajipour’s sentencing is part of a broader pattern of suppression targeting activists, journalists, and artists in Iran, including Nobel laureate Narges Mohammadi.
- Human Rights Outcry: The Center for Human Rights in Iran has condemned the sentencing, calling for Hajipour’s immediate release and highlighting the ongoing repression of free speech in Iran.
The Associated Press has the story:
Grammy-winning Iranian singer jailed for Mahsa Amini protest anthem
Newslooks- DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) —
An Iranian singer who won a Grammy presented by U.S. first lady Jill Biden has been sentenced to more than three years in prison over his anthem supporting the 2022 protests over the death of Mahsa Amini. Shervin Hajipour posted on Instagram on Friday, the same day that Iran held its parliamentary election, what appeared to be part of the judgment against him.
It said Hajipour received a three-year, eight-month sentence on charges of “propaganda against the system” and “encouraging people to protest.” The court issued its sentence in part because it found he hadn’t properly expressed regret over publishing the song.
It also imposed a two-year travel ban and ordered him to create a song about “U.S. crimes,” as well as make posts about those crimes online.
Hajipour thanked his lawyers and his agent for their support.
“I will not mention the name of the judge and the prosecutor so that they don’t get insulted and threatened, because insults and threats are not in the religion of humanity,” he wrote. “Finally, one day we will understand each other. Until then.”
Hajipour already had served some prison time, but was out on bail pending the court’s decision. It was unclear if he had already reported to serve his sentence.
Iranian state-run media, focused on the election Friday, didn’t note Hajipour’s sentence. Iran’s mission to the United Nations in New York didn’t respond to a request for comment.
Hajipour’s song “Baraye,” or “For” in English, begins with: “For dancing in the streets,” “for the fear we feel when we kiss.” The lyrics list reasons that young Iranians posted online for why they had protested against Iran’s ruling theocracy after Amini’s death in September 2022, allegedly for not wearing her mandated headscarf to the liking of security forces.
The protests quickly escalated into calls to overthrow Iran’s clerical rulers. A subsequent security crackdown killed more than 500 people, with more than 22,000 detained.
Jill Biden awarded Hajipour the Grammy’s new song for social change special merit award during the ceremony last year.
“This song became the anthem of the Mahsa Amini protests, a powerful and poetic call for freedom and women’s rights,” Biden said at the ceremony. “Shervin was arrested, but this song continues to resonate around the world with its powerful theme: Women, life, freedom.”
Hajipour’s sentencing comes as other activists, journalists and artists have faced arrest, imprisonment and harassment since the demonstrations. Among those imprisoned is Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi.
The New York-based Center for Human Rights in Iran condemned Hajipour’s sentencing Friday, and demanded Iran immediately release him from the sentence.
“This blatant violation of Shervin’s rights to free speech and expression is a grave injustice and a clear affront to human rights principles,” the center said. “His imprisonment serves as a chilling reminder of the ongoing repression faced by artists, activists and dissenting voices in Iran.”
