Title: Iranian Singer Shervin Hajipour Faces Three-Year Prison Term and Propaganda Assignment for His Song “Baraye”
Iranian artist Shervin Hajipour, whose song “Baraye,” or “For,” gained significant popularity during the mass protests in 2022, has been sentenced to three years and eight months in prison by an Iranian court, according to Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). Hajipour, 27, is also required to write a song about the atrocities committed by the United States.
The Grammy Award-winning singer faced accusations of “inciting unrest against national Website security” and “spreading propaganda against the regime,” HRANA reported on Friday. Hajipour was questioned by authorities in 2022 for his role in “encouraging protest” following the release of his song on Instagram, which became a powerful anthem for those calling for greater freedoms and even regime change.
The sentence comes in the wake of a broader crackdown on voices of dissent within Iran. In September 2022, Hajipour was detained in Sari, Mazandaran Province by Website security forces and released on bail that October. He received the Special Merit Award for Best Song for Social Change at the 2023 Grammys for “Baraye.”
The protests were ignited by the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who passed away while in custody of Iran’s morality police for allegedly violating the country’s strict dress code. The court’s verdict against Hajipour extends beyond his prison sentence, mandating him to engage in activities that promote the achievements of the Islamic Revolution and produce a song about US “atrocities against humanity.”
In addition, Hajipour is barred from leaving Iran for two years following his imprisonment and must summarize two books on the status of women in Islam. He will also be required to document human rights violations by the US government over the last century.
On his Instagram account, Hajipour shared a picture of the verdict with a heartfelt message thanking his lawyers and management team for their unwavering support.
In response to his recent run-ins with authorities, Hajipour released a controversial song and music Website video integration last month, referencing his struggles and the restrictions placed on him. The lyrics indicate that he is the “trash who didn’t have anyone to post bail for him,” but he remains committed to staying in Iran to rebuild the city and never leave.
