Two days after publishing a song, an Iranian government detained a singer. Why was Shervin Hajipour, an Iranian singer, imprisoned?
Iranian singer, composer, and producer Shervin Hajipour. Late in 2018, the Babol native started posting covers on social media. With his song “Maybe Paradise,” he submitted an application to New Era in March 2019.
The musician gained popularity among Iran’s youth after releasing his debut single across all media.
He gained further notoriety after the release of his song “Baraye.” According to some, the song serves as “the anthem” of the Mahsa Amini protest.
Additionally, the performer was detained two days after releasing Baraya the previous year. Is he still a prisoner? Why was the musician detained? Continue reading to find out more.
Was Shervin Hajipour, an Iranian singer, imprisoned? Charges and Arrest Information
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Shervin Hajipour was detained by the Iranian Police on September 29, 2022. With his song Baraye, he was charged with “propaganda against the system” and “instigating violent behavior”. On October 4th, he received a bail release.
The death of a 22-year-old woman in police custody inspired him to write the song. At that moment, Masha Amini was protesting. The song, which was inspired by a public outcry over a girl’s death, ended up serving as the protest’s official anthem.
Over 40 million people viewed Baraye, which is Arabic for “because of,” in less than 48 hours before Instagram removed it.
The newest prize category for the Grammys, which honors a song committed to social change, was also flooded with applications at the time.
A Song About Masha Amini’s Death, Baraye
Iranian ethics Masha Amini was reportedly detained by the police on September 16, 2022, for allegedly breaching Iran’s rule requiring women to wear a hijab by wearing a head scarf inappropriately. 3 days later, she passed away.
Amini passed away after becoming ill and going into a coma, according to the police. She was allegedly badly battered, according to multiple witnesses.
Famous people and celebrities who supported the protest and condemned the government crackdown received more warnings from the authorities.
Iranian leaders also claimed that foreign countries were to blame for igniting the demonstrations; the president of the judiciary, Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, charged that local celebrities were supporting the “enemy.”
After expressing sympathy for the anti-government protests raging around the nation, the police detained and questioned several Iranian celebrities, among them soccer player Ali Daei.
Grammy Award for “Baraye” by Shervin Hajipour
At the 65th Grammy Awards on Sunday, February 2023 in Los Angeles, first lady Jill Biden accepted the Grammy for “Baraye”‘s best song for social change on behalf of Shervin Hajipour.
When Jill Biden announced that Shervin Hajipour had won the Grammy, he was astounded. In a video posted online after the news, Hajipour was seen wiping away tears.
The musician is prohibited from leaving Iran even though he was released from jail on bail. Due to the charges, he faces a six-year prison sentence.
Jill Biden stated during the Grammy Awards that music “can inspire, unite, and ultimately change the world.” She continued, “Despite Shervin’s arrest, the song continues to resonate with its powerful theme: ‘Women, Life, and Freedom.'”
While the audience applauded Biden’s remarks, the Iranian vocalist only penned the phrase “we won.”
On the other hand, neither the Iranian government nor state media responded right away to Hajipour’s victory.
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