Shervin Hajipour is an Iranian pop star who wrote a Grammy Award-winning anti-regime protest anthem. The 27-year-old has been jailed and ordered to write a new song.
He has been ordered to write an anti-American song. Hahipour's song won a Grammy, presented in absentia by Jill Biden. (Democrats are invited to participate in award shows.) The song tells the story of Mahsa Amini, the 22-year-old Iranian woman who was beaten and jailed for not wearing a hijab. She died in jail from injuries she received when she was arrested. The song has become the anthem of Iran's nationwide protests. It is titled "Baraye", or "For" in English.
On Friday, the day of elections in Iran, Hajipour's sentence of three years and eight months in prison was announced. He was charged with 'inciting unrest against national security', 'spreading propaganda against the system', and 'encouraging people to protest'. He must write a new song to criticize the 'USA's atrocities against humanity.'
The court also imposed a two-year travel ban on Hajipour. Human Rights Activists News Agency reports that he is required to make posts online about America's "crimes" and he must summarize two books on the status of women in Islam. Those must be 30-page summaries of the book "Woman And Her Rights In Islam" by Ayatollah Morteza Motahari and of "Woman in the Mirror of Beauty and Glory" by Javadi Amoli. He must take a course on "behavioral skills and knowledge in the field of art." That is some full-on re-education effort being imposed on Hajipour.
The unusual punishment was justified because it reflects the "gravity of his actions" and was prompted by the fact that Hajipour had not properly expressed regret over publishing the song.
Artists at Risk Connection released a statement.
#Iran: "Shervin Hajipour’s sentencing is another awful attempt to suppress the independent voices who channel the demands of the Iranian people for basic freedoms." - Julie Trébault, ARC director
— ARC (Artists at Risk Connection) (@AtRiskArtists) March 1, 2024
Read our full statement: https://t.co/XsdUubtbA0 #Baraye pic.twitter.com/UEehXjbZq3
In a lengthy statement, PEN America is calling for his immediate release.
“Shervin Hajipour’s sentencing is another awful attempt to suppress the independent voices who channel the demands of the Iranian people for basic freedoms. The Iranian government is attempting to silence a powerful movement spearheaded by musicians who believe in freedom and women’s rights,” said Julie Trébault, director of Artists at Risk Connection. “The Iranian government fears the power of music to give hope and inspire citizens to dream of a better and more equitable future for all.”
He posted a photograph of the verdict on his Instagram account. He thanked his lawyers and management team. He released another controversial song last month.
The northern Iran resident released yet another controversial song and music video last month, referencing his recent run-ins with authorities, with lyrics indicating that he’s the “trash who didn’t have anyone to post bail for him,” and that even though he’s “not allowed to sing (in public)” he is the “trash that will stay in Iran to rebuild this city” and never leave the country.
The Iranian regime chose to release this information about Shervin Hajipour on election day. It was meant to intimidate those inclined to protest for freedom. Voter turnout was low. The protests are said to be a factor that united some voters to not go to vote.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member