Tehran, Iran – April 25, 2024 – Outspoken Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi has been sentenced to death by a court in Isfahan, sparking international outrage and raising concerns about the Iranian government’s suppression of dissent.

Salehi, 33, was a prominent figure in the 2022 protests that erupted following the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died in police custody. He used his music and social media platforms to criticize the regime and express solidarity with the protestors.

According to his lawyer, Amir Raesian, Salehi was arrested in October 2022 and held in solitary confinement. He alleges Salehi was tortured during his detention. After initially receiving a lesser sentence, Salehi’s case took a dramatic turn. An Isfahan court surprisingly overturned a Supreme Court decision and reinstated the harshest punishment – death penalty on charges of “corruption on earth.” This broad charge is often used against dissidents and carries the possibility of execution.

The news of the sentence has been met with international condemnation. The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) demanded Salehi’s release, highlighting concerns about his alleged torture and the targeting of his artistic expression. The United States’ Office of the Special Envoy for Iran called the sentence a “brutal abuse” and an example of the regime’s “disregard for human rights.” Human rights groups across the globe echoed these sentiments.

Salehi’s lawyer has vowed to appeal the verdict. State media reports suggest a possibility of a sentence reduction by a pardoning committee, but the prospect remains uncertain.

This case is not an isolated incident. Salehi joins a growing number of Iranian citizens facing harsh punishments for participating in the 2022 protests. Kurdish-Iranian rapper Saman Yasin is another example, having received a five-year prison sentence.

The international community is closely watching the situation and urging Iranian authorities to respect human rights and basic freedoms. The fate of Toomaj Salehi remains precarious, highlighting the ongoing struggle for freedom of expression and dissent in Iran.