• Toomaj Salehi, an Iranian rapper, was sentenced to death for backing protests.
• Initial imprisonment led to Supreme Court intervention, but a harsh sentence was later imposed.
• International criticism mounts, highlighting Iran’s crackdown on dissent.

An Iranian revolutionary court has handed the popular Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi a death sentence.

The charges against him are linked to the unrest that rocked Iran during 2022-23.

Salehi, known for his outspoken views, found himself on the wrong side of the law due to his support for the protests that erupted following the tragic death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish-Iranian woman.

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Mahsa Amini’s demise while in police custody, reportedly over allegations of wearing an “improper” hijab, sparked nationwide outrage and months of demonstrations across Iran.

Salehi’s music became a rallying cry for many protesters, amplifying their calls for justice and societal change.

The rapper’s troubles began in October 2022 when he was arrested for publicly expressing solidarity with the protest movement.

Initially, Salehi was handed a hefty prison sentence of six years and three months. However, his life was spared from the death penalty following a Supreme Court intervention.

Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, the revolutionary court in Isfahan, known for its strict stance, defied the decision and imposed the harshest punishment on Salehi.

His lawyer, Amir Raisian, described the move as unprecedented and vowed to appeal the verdict within the allotted 20-day period.

The Iranian judiciary has yet to officially confirm the death sentence, leaving room for legal recourse.

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Raisian remains steadfast in his commitment to challenging the ruling, signaling hope for a potential reversal or mitigation of Salehi’s fate.

International reactions to Salehi’s sentencing have been swift and condemnatory.

The U.S. Office of the Special Envoy for Iran condemned the Iranian regime’s actions, citing them as blatant violations of human rights and indicative of the regime’s fear of democratic change.

Salehi’s case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle for freedom of expression and dissent in Iran.

As the world watches, the fate of the outspoken rapper hangs in the balance, with his music echoing the aspirations of many Iranians seeking a brighter future.