Grammy-winning Iranian singer, awarded over Mahsa Amini protest anthem, sentenced to jail

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — An Iranian singer who gained a Grammy introduced by U.S. first woman Jill Biden has been sentenced to greater than three years in jail over his anthem supporting the 2022 protests over the dying of Mahsa Amini.
Shervin Hajipour posted on Instagram on Friday, the identical day that Iran held its parliamentary election, what gave the impression to be a part of the judgment in opposition to him.
It stated Hajipour obtained a three-year, eight-month sentence on expenses of “for the propaganda in opposition to the system” and “encouraging folks to protest.” The court docket issued its sentence partially as a result of it discovered he hadn’t correctly expressed remorse over publishing the music.
It additionally imposed a two-year journey ban and ordered him to create a music about “U.S. crimes,” in addition to make posts about these crimes on-line.
Hajipour thanked his attorneys and his agent for his or her assist.
“I can’t point out the title of the choose and the prosecutor in order that they don’t get insulted and threatened, as a result of insults and threats are usually not within the faith of humanity,” he wrote. “Lastly, someday we’ll perceive one another. Till then.”
Hajipour already had served some jail time, however was out on bail pending the court docket’s resolution. It was unclear if he had already reported to serve his sentence.
Iranian state-run media, targeted on the election Friday, did not word Hajipour’s sentence. Iran’s mission to the United Nations in New York did not instantly reply to a request for remark.
Hajipour’s music “Baraye,” or “For” in English, begins with: “For dancing within the streets,” “for the concern we really feel once we kiss.” The lyrics record causes that younger Iranians posted on-line for why that they had protested in opposition to Iran’s ruling theocracy after Amini’s dying in September 2022, allegedly for not sporting her mandated headband to the liking of safety forces.
The protests shortly escalated into calls to overthrow Iran’s clerical rulers. A subsequent safety crackdown killed greater than 500 folks, with greater than 22,000 detained.
Jill Biden awarded Hajipour the Grammy’s new music for social change particular advantage award throughout the ceremony final 12 months.
“This music turned the anthem of the Mahsa Amini protests, a strong and poetic name for freedom and girls’s rights,” Biden stated on the ceremony. “Shervin was arrested, however this music continues to resonate world wide with its highly effective theme: Girls, life, freedom.”
Hajipour’s sentencing comes as different activists, journalists and artists have confronted arrest, imprisonment and harassment because the demonstrations. Amongst these imprisoned is Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi.
The New York-based Heart for Human Rights in Iran condemned Hajipour’s sentencing Friday, and demanded Iran instantly launch him from the sentence.
“This blatant violation of Shervin’s rights to free speech and expression is a grave injustice and a transparent affront to human rights ideas,” the middle stated. “His imprisonment serves as a chilling reminder of the continued repression confronted by artists, activists and dissenting voices in Iran.”