Demonstrations broke out in Iran on Thursday following the death of a popular musician who supported the 2009 protest movement in the country. Iran is under domestic and international scrutiny this year for its ongoing crackdown on dissent.
Renowned classical music composer and singer Mohammad Reza Shajarian died on Thursday at age 80, Radio Farda reported. Shajarian stayed out of politics most of his life. However, in 2009, he asked state media to stop playing his music in solidarity with the Green Movement protest. The government then banned Shajarian from holding concerts and releasing music, according to the US government-funded outlet that covers Iran news.