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 received a three-year, eight-month sentence on charges of 'propaganda against the system' and 'encouraging people to protest.' The court found that he hadn't properly expressed regret over publishing the song.
The judgment also imposed a two-year travel ban on Hajipour and ordered him to create a song about 'U.S. crimes' and make posts about those crimes online. Despite thanking his lawyers and agent for their support, Hajipour refrained from mentioning the names of the judge and prosecutor to avoid insults and threats.
Hajipour's song 'Baraye,' which became the anthem of the Mahsa Amini protests, highlighted the reasons behind the demonstrations that followed Amini's death in September 2022. The protests escalated into calls to overthrow Iran’s clerical rulers, resulting in a security crackdown that claimed over 500 lives and led to the detention of more than 22,000 individuals.
Jill Biden had awarded Hajipour the Grammy's new song for social change special merit award during a ceremony last year, praising the song's powerful message advocating for freedom and women’s rights. The sentencing of Hajipour is part of a broader crackdown on activists, journalists, and artists following the protests, with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi among those imprisoned.
The Center for Human Rights in Iran condemned Hajipour's sentencing, calling it a 'blatant violation of free speech and expression' and demanding his immediate release. The center highlighted the ongoing repression faced by artists, activists, and dissenting voices in Iran, emphasizing the need to uphold human rights principles.
