Iranian singer Shervin Hajipour, who gained international acclaim for receiving a Grammy award from US First Lady Jill Biden, has been sentenced to over three years in prison. His renowned anthem supported the 2022 protests in Iran following the tragic death of Mahsa Amini. Taking to Instagram on Friday, Hajipour shared the verdict with his fans, revealing that he has been sentenced to three years and eight months in prison.
The judgment accused Hajipour of engaging in “propaganda against the system” and “inciting people to protest.” Furthermore, he was penalized for showing no remorse or guilt for releasing the anthem. In addition to his prison sentence, Hajipour has been banned from leaving Iran for two years. He has also been mandated to compose a song highlighting “USA’s atrocities against humanity” and to “promote the achievements” of the Islamic Revolution, particularly in the realms of culture and art.
Additionally, Hajipour is required to address the “human rights violations by the U.S. government over the last century” and author two books on the status of women in Islam. Despite the challenges he faces, Hajipour expressed gratitude towards his legal team and supporters in his Instagram post. He stated:
“I will not mention the name of the judge and the prosecutor so that they don’t face insults and threats, as these behaviors are not reflective of the principles of humanity. Eventually, we will reach understanding. Until then…”
Hajipour’s Grammy-winning song “Baraye,” meaning “For” in English, played a significant role in inspiring Iranians to protest against the injustices perpetrated by the country’s authorities following Mahsa Amini’s death in 2022. The anthem’s lyrics resonated with the youth’s aspirations and highlighted the authorities’ opposition to their pursuits. First Lady Jill Biden commended Hajipour during the Grammy Awards ceremony, praising “Baraye” as a “poetic call for freedom.”