An Iranian court sentenced Tumaj Salehi to death. Authorities arrested the 33-year-old rapper in 2022 for supporting nationwide protests.
Responding to the ruling of the Islamic Republic’s Revolutionary Court in Isfahan, Salehi’s lawyer Amir Raisian said, “The lower court sentenced Tumaj Salehi to the harshest punishment for ‘corruption on earth’ – The death penalty. Salehi’s legal team plans to appeal the decision.
Salehi was punished by the Iranian government for supporting demonstrations in 2022 for Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died in police custody. Amini opposes the country’s mandatory hijab law.
Iranian security forces also arrested Toomaj Salehi in September 2021 on suspicion of promoting “propaganda against the regime” and “insulting the supreme leadership.” The recording artist was later released.
Toomaj Salehi uses his music to criticize Iran’s leadership. Songs like “Torkamanchay” often focus on the corruption of theocratic governments and the regime’s crackdown on dissent. Iranian pop singer Mehdi Yarrahi called for the unconditional release of his “brother” on X.
