Toomaj Salehi, a prominent rapper known for his outspokenness, has been handed a death sentence by an Iranian court. The court’s decision comes in the wake of his arrest, which was made in connection with his songs that openly criticized the government. Salehi’s lawyer revealed this alarming development on Wednesday, shedding light on the gravity of the situation.
According to an interview with Iranian news outlet Shargh Daily, Toomaj Salehi’s lawyer, Amir Raesian, revealed that his client has been sentenced to the most severe punishment, which is death, for the charge of ‘corruption on Earth’.
According to Raesian, the decision made by the Islamic Republic Revolution Court of Isfahan contradicted a ruling from the Iranian Supreme Court. The Supreme Court had previously stated that Salehi’s case was eligible for amnesty. Raesian criticized the revolutionary court’s decision, pointing out the “clear legal conflicts” involved. He emphasized that they would appeal this sentence.
Salehi, who has faced multiple arrests by Iranian forces, consistently denounced the regime’s corruption and its stifling of dissent through his music. He fearlessly exposed the regime’s apologists who attempt to conceal these crimes. Salehi is among the notable artists who have been detained by the Iranian regime in recent years due to their impactful contributions.
Salehi’s popular song “The Mouse Hole” serves as a powerful warning to those who choose to collaborate with the Islamic Republic. In the song, he cautions them to find a place to hide, as their wrongdoings will soon come back to haunt them.
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 released in 2021 for releasing songs denouncing the government, has persisted in expressing his opposition to the Iranian regime through his music videos.
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 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 platform for criticizing the regime, resulting in several rap stars being targeted by the authorities.
The Iranian music world rallied behind Salehi, showing their unwavering support despite the regime’s harsh measures.
In a recent post on X, Mehdi Yarrahi, a popular Iranian singer, referred to Salehi’s sentence as a “black comedy.” Yarrahi, who was also arrested by the Islamic Republic for his songs in support of the Mahsa Amini protests, expressed his disbelief at the situation.
“Set my brother free immediately, or the smoke from this fire will sting your eyes,” he wrote on Wednesday, echoing the voices of numerous Iranians who are calling for Salehi’s release.