Toomaj Salehi, a fearless rapper, has been handed a death sentence by an Iranian court. This harsh punishment was imposed due to his arrest over songs that vehemently criticized the government. The news of this shocking verdict was revealed by his lawyer on Wednesday.
Toomaj Salehi’s lawyer, Amir Raesian, revealed in an interview with Iranian news outlet Shargh Daily that his client has been sentenced to the most severe punishment, death, for the offense of ‘corruption on Earth’ by the primary court.
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According to Raesian, the decision made by the Islamic Republic Revolution Court of Isfahan goes against a previous ruling by the Iranian Supreme Court, which stated that Salehi’s case should be eligible for amnesty. The lawyer expressed his concern over the “clear legal inconsistencies” in the revolutionary court’s verdict and stated that they will certainly file an appeal against this sentence.
Salehi, who has faced numerous arrests by Iranian forces, consistently denounced the regime’s corruption and its suppression of dissent in his music. He unapologetically criticized those who attempted to downplay these crimes. Salehi’s courageous stance has made him one of the most prominent artists targeted by the Iranian regime in recent years.
In a well-known song called “The Mouse Hole,” Salehi sends a message to those who collaborate with the Islamic Republic, cautioning them to find a safe haven as they will soon face consequences for their actions.
The lyrics read, “I am a corporate journalist, a cheap informer, a court artist, and I buy a mouse hole.”
Salehi, who was arrested and subsequently released in 2021 for releasing songs that denounced the government, continues to share music videos that express his opposition to the Iranian regime.
In 2022, he expressed his support for the protests in Iran that were ignited by the tragic death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini. She sadly passed away while in police custody after being arrested for allegedly not adhering to the country’s hijab laws.
Amid the protests, Iranian rap music has emerged as a powerful tool for criticizing the regime, making several rap stars the target of the regime’s wrath.
The Iranian music world rallied in support of Salehi, despite the regime’s harsh crackdown.
In a recent post on X, Mehdi Yarrahi, a popular Iranian singer, referred to Salehi’s sentence as a “black comedy.” Yarrahi, who himself was arrested by the Islamic Republic last August for his songs supporting the Mahsa Amini protests, shared his perspective on the matter.
“I demand that you release my brother unconditionally, or the smoke from this fire will burn your eyes,” he wrote on Wednesday, echoing the sentiments of numerous Iranians who are also calling for Salehi’s freedom.
