Shervin Hajipour, Iranian singer whose songs become prevalent during mass protests in 2022, has been sent to prison for 3 years and 8 months in prison and commanded to write sings on US atrocities.
The 27 years old was accused of “inciting unrest against national security” and “spreading propaganda against the regime,” Shervin is also a Grammy award winner.
He was called by the police for questioning on “encouragement to protest” in 2022 and after 2 days he posted a video of himself on social media (Instagram) singing his song “Baraye” which means “for”.
Shervin, who grew international recognition and a special merit award for best song for Social Change at the 2023 Grammys for the song, was detained in Sari, Mazandaran Province by security forces in September 2022 and released on bail that October.
Shervin’s song becomes a protest anthem sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini that evolved into a broader movement calling for greater freedoms and even an overthrow of the state.
The verdict ranges beyond the prison decree, which forced some additional charges and penalties believed necessary to mirror the “gravity of Hajipour’s action”.
For past two years after his imprisonment, Hajipour is barred from leaving Iran. He is also mandated to engage in activities that “promote the achievements” of the Islamic revolution, including compiling content on culture, science and art, and producing a song about the “USA’s atrocities against humanity”.
On his Instagram handle, Hajipour posted an image of the court’s verdict, thanking his attorneys and management crew.
The northern Iran inhabitant released one more contentious song and music video last calendar month, referencing his fresh run-ins with authorities, with lines indicative of that he’s the “trash who didn’t have anyone to post bail for him,” and that even though he’s “not permitted to sing (in public)” he is the “trash that will stay in Iran to rebuild this city” and never leave the country.
