Iranian singer Shervin Hajipour, who was sentenced to prison for his protest anthem honoring Mahsa Amini, has been reportedly pardoned. The Grammy Award winner had faced a three-year sentence over his song ‘Baraye’, which became an anthem for the 2022 protests in Iran following Amini’s death in police custody. Hajipour, who received his Grammy from US first lady Jill Biden, announced on Instagram that his case had been completely dismissed due to a new amnesty order, which he learned about on Sunday.
The protests sparked by Amini’s death led to a crackdown by the Iranian government, resulting in over 500 deaths and thousands detained. The song ‘Baraye’ was recognized by Biden as a powerful call for freedom and women’s rights, and Hajipour was arrested for his involvement.
Last week marked the two-year anniversary of Amini’s death, with protests continuing despite government suppression. In solidarity, 34 female political prisoners in Teheran’s Evin Prison went on a hunger strike. Additionally, two Iranian films challenging state censorship and exposing the crimes of the Islamic State have begun their European releases, highlighting the bravery of filmmakers who confront oppression and tyranny.
The pardon of Hajipour and the ongoing activism in Iran serve as reminders of the ongoing struggle for freedom and human rights in the country. The international community continues to monitor the situation and advocate for justice for Amini and all those affected by the oppressive regime in Iran.
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