Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi sentenced to demise for protesting towards authorities
The Iranian dissident rapper Toomaj Salehi has been condemned to demise for taking part in anti-government protests in 2022, says his lawyer, sparking outcry from human rights organisations.
Salehi’s music has been essential of the Iranian regime, whereas he has additionally been significantly outspoken concerning the authorities on social media. He was concerned in weeks-long protests that swept the nation after the demise of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, which occurred underneath suspicious circumstances whereas in police custody, and resulted in a brutal crackdown on protests by the Iranian authorities.
His lawyer confirmed through X/Twitter that an order for his execution had been issued on Wednesday (April 24) after he had been detained, held in solitary confinement and allegedly tortured following his arrest.
In an unprecedented resolution, a courtroom in Isfahan overturned the upper Supreme Court docket’s resolution on Saleh’s case on Tuesday (April 23), upholding the unique verdict of “corruption on earth”. As such, he was issued the utmost punishment of demise, in keeping with Iranian pro-reform shops Shargh and Entekhab.
State media reported that his sentence may very well be decreased by a pardoning committee if he appeals once more.
Salehi had hung out in jail final 12 months and was briefly launched, however in keeping with witness testimonies, he was violently rearrested and despatched him to jail in Isfahan. This occurred after he revealed that he was tortured and positioned in solitary confinement for 252 days following his arrest in October 2022, UN specialists stated in a press release revealed by the Workplace of the UN Excessive Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
Salehi isn’t the one artist to have been focused for displaying opposition to the federal government. The Kurdish-Iranian rapper Saman Yasin, who was additionally arrested on the peak of 2022’s protests in Iran, was taken to a psychiatric hospital twice in lower than a 12 months, per pro-reform information outlet IranWire. A courtroom in Tehran sentenced Yasin to 5 years in jail, in keeping with Kurdish human rights group Hengaw.
“We strongly condemn Toomaj Salehi’s demise sentence and the five-year sentence for Kurdish-Iranian rapper Saman Yasin. We name for his or her fast launch,” america’ Workplace of the Particular Envoy for Iran tweeted. “These are the newest examples of the regime’s brutal abuse of its personal residents, disregard for human rights, and worry of the democratic change the Iranian individuals search.”
We strongly condemn Toomaj Salehi’s demise sentence and the five-year sentence for Kurdish-Iranian rapper Saman Yasin. We name for his or her fast launch. These are the newest examples of the regime’s brutal abuse of its personal residents, disregard for human rights, and worry of the…
— Workplace of the Particular Envoy for Iran (@USEnvoyIran) April 24, 2024
UN specialists additionally known as for Salehi’s launch, urging Iranian authorities to reverse the demise sentence.
“We’re alarmed by the imposition of the demise sentence and the alleged ill-treatment of Mr. Salehi which seems to be associated solely to the train of his proper to freedom of inventive expression and creativity,” the specialists stated.
Iranians have now taken to the streets to demand the rapper’s freedom.
Iranians worldwide have as soon as once more taken to the streets in protest towards the demise sentence issued for Toomaj Salehi. They’re additionally protesting towards the gender apartheid imposed by Khamenei’s regime, which ordered the morality police drive to return to the streets to wage battle… pic.twitter.com/15ERHeWlIR
— Masih Alinejad 🏳️ (@AlinejadMasih) April 28, 2024
In the meantime, Salehi’s political sponsor in Europe, German Member of Parliament Ye-One Rhie, described the demise sentence as “absurd and inhumane.”
“It’s nonetheless utterly unclear how this verdict took place,” she stated. “It’s unbelievable how irresponsibly and arbitrarily the Iranian regime treats defendants. It’s unimaginable to acknowledge the rule of legislation within the chaos of the courts in cost.”
The Recording Academy additionally launched a press release on the case, saying they had been “deeply troubled” by the sentencing.
“No artist ought to need to worry for his or her life or livelihood when expressing themselves by way of their artwork. Music is a robust drive for good on this planet and is required at this time greater than ever. We stand with music creators throughout the globe who use their items to make clear the human situation and can proceed to work tirelessly to guard inventive freedom.”
The Recording Academy @RecordingAcad requires the discharge of Iranian rapper #ToomajSalehi — who the regime in Iran has sentenced to demise; charging him with “corrupting the earth.”
The 33 12 months previous rapper has endured torture & was kidnapped off the streets. #توماج_صالحی pic.twitter.com/1vOCnnkMaL
— Samira Mohyeddin سمیرا (@SMohyeddin) April 27, 2024
Meek Mill was among the many artists condemning the Iranian authorities, writing on X/Twitter, “Acquired sentenced to demise over a track free that man wtf” on Thursday, adopted by “Free toomaj!”
Acquired sentenced to demise over a track free that man wtf https://t.co/kp2VnwF5yp
— MeekMill (@MeekMill) April 25, 2024
Free toomaj!
— MeekMill (@MeekMill) April 25, 2024