An Iranian rapper who openly challenged the despotic Iranian regime has been sentenced to death.
On Tuesday, a court in Isfahan reversed the higher Supreme Court’s decision and sentenced Toomaj Salehi, 32, to death. He had been arrested in October 2022 during widespread protests against the regime. “The rapper has been detained, held in solitary confinement and was allegedly tortured following his arrest,” CNN reported.
“Toomaj’s music is not only revolutionary because he is willing to go after the regime while living in Iran, but also because he goes after all the enablers of the regime both in Iran and overseas: the media, NGOs, and foreign politicians who don’t stand up for the freedom of Iranians,” political commentator Yashar Ali noted. He continued:
Toomaj has been in and out of prison for years on various absurd charges ranging from insulting the Supreme Leader to propaganda against the regime to propagandistic activity against the government, cooperation with hostile governments, and forming illegal groups to create insecurity in the country. The names used for these charges are propaganda; they don’t reflect what Toomaj or anyone charged with these “crimes” has done. Toomaj did nothing but fight for the freedom of all Iranians and call for an end to the regime.
“The Islamic Republic has sentenced dissident rapper Toomaj Salehi to execution,” Reza Pahlavi, Iran’s exiled Crown Prince, wrote. “Since its inception, the Islamic Republic has waged war on artists, particularly those who have [used] their talents to advocate for Iran’s liberation. I call on the international community, particularly Toomaj’s peers in the arts, to be his voice and to demand an immediate revocation of this sham sentence and his unencumbered release from prison.
The Islamic Republic has sentenced dissident rapper Toomaj Salehi to execution. Since its inception, the Islamic Republic has waged war on artists, particularly those who have use their talents to advocate for Iran’s liberation.
I call on the international community,…
— Reza Pahlavi (@PahlaviReza) April 24, 2024
“Listen to these powerful words of Toomaj from the streets of Iran and join our urgent call to action,” leading Iranian dissident Masih Alinejad added. “Time is running out. Toomaj Salehi, an Iranian rapper, faces a death sentence for [amplifying] the cries of the voiceless during ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’ uprising. Toomaj’s unjust sentence demands our unified efforts to secure his freedom! This echoes the brutality of the Islamic Republic, which mercilessly silenced unarmed protesters rallying against the tragic murder of Mahsa Amini. Now, Toomaj confronts a similar fate. Let Toomaj’s voice continue to echo.”
Listen to these powerful words of Toomaj from the streets of Iran and join our urgent call to action.
Time is running out. Toomaj Salehi, an Iranian rapper, faces a death sentence for amplify the cries of the voiceless during “Woman, Life, Freedom” uprising.
Toomaj’s unjust… pic.twitter.com/FdKHQHZRGO
— Masih Alinejad 🏳️ (@AlinejadMasih) April 24, 2024
Toomaj Salehi, a beloved Iranian rapper and activist, has just been sentenced to death for his involvement in the Women, Life, Freedom movement that exploded after the murder of Masha Amini by Iranian Morality Police.
The Islamic Regime in Iran has been cruelly and violently… pic.twitter.com/ueKpHxAh8o
— Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) April 24, 2024
