Musician Arrested in Tehran for ‘Insulting’ Bashar al-Assad

Iranian authorities arrested musician Khosrow Azarbeig in Tehran on Monday, his lawyer Amir Raisian said.

Azarbeig faces charges of insulting former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad following a protest performance in Tehran’s metro.

Intelligence Ministry agents detained Azarbeig after he arrived with his daughter for what he believed was a scheduled performance in Tehran’s Air Force district, according to the Baluch Activists Campaign.

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The arrest follows previous incidents involving the musician.

In December 2024, he was summoned to appear before a Revolutionary Court in Azadshahr.

In September, police confiscated his instruments during a performance in Mellat Park in Tehran.