Iranian Rapper Released Following Overturn of Death Sentence

An Iranian rapper, who had received a death sentence for his support of anti-government protests, has been freed from prison after a two-year incarceration. Toomaj Salehi’s arrest occurred in October 2022, following his public endorsement of demonstrations that emerged across Iran subsequent to Mahsa Amini’s death while in police custody. His death sentence was reversed in June, leading to his release from prison on Sunday. This release came “after serving his sentence” of one year for propaganda against the state, according to Iran’s judiciary-operated Mizan news agency. Mr. Salehi, aged 34, had openly criticized Iranian leaders through his musical compositions and faced a prohibition from performing at concerts even before his apprehension. He received a prison sentence of six years and three months in July 2023, having averted a death sentence thanks to a Supreme Court decision. Mr. Salehi experienced a brief release on bail, only to be rearrested days later for disseminating “false claims without evidence.” This appeared to be a reference to a video he had published, in which he asserted being “tortured” by intelligence ministry agents. A death sentence was imposed on him in April 2024 for the capital offense of “corruption on earth,” although this ruling was subsequently overturned. The rapper faced a series of charges, including the dissemination of lies in cyberspace, disruption of public order, and propaganda against the establishment. Index on Censorship, a campaign organization that had advocated for the rapper’s freedom, expressed approval of his release and stated that Mr. Salehi “should never have been imprisoned to begin with.” His apprehension coincided with the peak of nationwide demonstrations ignited by Mahsa Amini’s death. The 22-year-old Iranian Kurdish woman had been detained by the religious police during a family visit to Tehran, on allegations of wearing an “improper” hijab. The subsequent unrest led to hundreds of fatalities and thousands of arrests.