DUBAI: Shervin Hajipour, whose viral song became the anthem for anti-government protests in Iran, has been arrested by police with his whereabouts currently unknown.
It was also unclear what were the charges brought against the young singer, news website Radio Farda reported.
A few days before his arrest on September 29, Hajipour posted the moving song on Instagram describing the current situation in the Islamic Republic, which was triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini while in custody of the morality police.
Hajipour’s song had garnered more than 40 million views on Instagram, and has spread on other social media platforms, before it was removed.
The lyrics of Hajipour’s song was woven from tweets posted by Iranians following Amini’s death, many of them blaming the country’s clerical leadership for the current social, economic and political problems.
Musician Shervin Hajipour, whose video about the ongoing protests in #Iran has garnered tens of millions of views, has reportedly been arrested. #OpIran #MahsaAmini #IranRevolution#مهسا_امینی #اعتصابات_سراسری pic.twitter.com/tNixoidxzQ
— IranHumanRights.org (@ICHRI) September 29, 2022
“For the shame of having no money,” read one of the tweets in Hajipour’s song.
“For the fear of kissing a lover on the street,” said another tweet.
“For the political prisoners,” another part of the lyrics said.
Iranian authorities have also arrested female artist Donya Rad, Radio Farda reported, after she posted a photo of herself eating out in Tehran without a head scarf and the image going viral on social media.
Rad’s sister claimed Donya was taken to Tehran’s notorious Evin prison.