Iranian rapper, Toomaj Salehi, has been arrested for his activist actions in the past. (Photo via Toomaj Salehi / Instagram)
During that time, Salehi had criticized the Iranian government in his songs and music videos, which went viral.
In his last music video, he appeared to reference Amini and the crackdown on protesters, rapping, “Someone’s crime was dancing with her hair in the wind. Someone’s crime was that he or she was brave and criticized.”
Toomaj Salehi sang about Mahsa Amini protests in his latest music video in show of support. (Photo via Toomaj Salehi / Instagram)
“44 years of your government. It's the year of failure,” he rapped.
In July 2023, after 253 days in solitary confinement, Salehi was found guilty of “corruption on earth”, which could result in the death penalty.
Toomaj Salehi is an activist in anti-government protests. (Photo via Toomaj Salehi / Instagram)
However, the Supreme Court gave him a reduced sentence of 6 years and 3 months, according to his lawyer.
A woman holding a poster of Toomaj Salehi, who was arrested for his support of the Mhasa Amini protests. (Photo via Getty Images)
But on Tuesday, April 23, a court in the city of Isfahan reversed the Supreme Court’s decision and issued a death sentence.
Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi, sentenced to death for singing about the Mahsa Amini protests. (Photo via Toomaj Salehi / Instagram)
Salehi’s lawyer said the court had introduced new charges against him including ”assisting in armed rebellion”.
Toomaj Salehi is a popular activist rapper in Iran. (Photo via Toomaj Salehi / Instagram)
His lawyer says he now has 20 days to appeal the ruling and reduce his punishment. Iran has executed at least 9 people in connection with the protests, and many others remain at risk of being executed, according to Amnesty International.
Kassy Cho
