Iranian Court Sentences Rapper Toomaj Salehi to Death for Supporting Protests
Popular Iranian rapper, Toomaj Salehi, has been sentenced to death by an Iranian court for his involvement in supporting protests following the death of Mahsa Amini. Amini, a young woman, died in custody in October 2022, sparking widespread demonstrations across the country.
Salehi was arrested last year for his participation in the protests, which were fueled by anger over Amini’s death. His lawyer has stated that Salehi was charged with corruption on Earth by the Isfahan Revolutionary Court. Initially, Salehi was sentenced to six years in prison, but the Supreme Court later found flaws in the sentence.
However, after he was released on bail, Salehi was rearrested and sentenced to death. This comes as another blow to the music industry in Iran, as singer Mehdi Yarrahi was also recently sentenced to prison for supporting the protest movement and criticizing the mandatory dress rules for women.
The unrest following Amini’s death led to hundreds of deaths and thousands of arrests. Iranian officials have labeled the demonstrations as “riots” and have accused foreign enemies of inciting unrest. Police have cracked down on women who ignore hijab rules, deploying patrol vans in Tehran squares as part of a campaign called “Noor” to enforce the laws.
Authorities have also shut down cafes and restaurants where hijab rules were not respected. The harsh sentencing of Salehi and crackdown on dissent highlight the ongoing struggle for freedom of expression in Iran.
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