Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi has been sentenced to death for his support of protests in Iran following the tragic death of Mahsa Amini, who died in police custody after being arrested by morality police for allegedly wearing an “improper hijab” in September 2022.
Salehi, known for his hip-hop music, used his platform to back the demonstrations that erupted in Iran in response to Amini’s death. Amini’s family blamed the police for her passing, stating that she was beaten and suffered a brain injury while in custody.
Following Amini’s death, Salehi was labeled as one of the leaders of the protests and was accused of promoting violence. He was arrested in October 2022 and later sentenced to six years in prison, narrowly avoiding a death sentence after a Supreme Court ruling.
Despite the legal troubles he faced, Salehi continued to speak out against the Iranian regime, advocating for revolution and resistance in his music and social media posts. He has received recognition for his protest music, including awards such as the Cultures of Resistance Award and the Golden Lily Medal.
Salehi’s lawyer has vowed to appeal the death sentence, calling the court’s decision “unprecedented.” The Iranian court has yet to confirm the ruling, giving Salehi 20 days to challenge the verdict.
The case highlights the ongoing tensions in Iran surrounding freedom of expression and the strict enforcement of Islamic dress codes, sparking international concern over the treatment of dissenting voices in the country.