The Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi was sentenced to death on charges of “corruption on earth” by an Iranian revolutionary court. This drastic sentence was confirmed by the musician’s lawyer, Amir Raesian, through a statement to the Shargh newspaper. Salehi, 33, was already known to the authorities for the provocative lyrics of his songs, which had already attracted the attention of Iranian justice in the past. In 2022, the rapper was jailed for his active participation in the anti-government protests, sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini. The young 22-year-old woman died after being arrested by the moral police, who accused her of not wearing the hijab correctly, the compulsory veil for women in public places in Iran.
Salehi’s conviction highlights the severity with which the Iranian regime responds to what it perceives as threats to its stability, using very serious accusations to repress dissent and protests. The situation draws international attention to human rights in Iran, especially regarding freedom of expression and protest.
