Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi has been launched from jail, Iran’s judiciary stated on Monday, after beforehand having been sentenced to demise for his music.
The judiciary’s Mizan Information Company reported that the artist was launched after serving his one-year sentence for preaching in opposition to the federal government. The company didn’t present additional particulars.
Background: Salehi, extra typically identified by his first title, is a well-liked Iranian rapper from the central metropolis of Isfahan. He’s identified for voicing criticism of the federal government in his music and was a vocal supporter of the Mahsa Amini protests that started in September of 2022. The protests began when Amini, a 22-year-old lady, died in police custody after allegedly being overwhelmed over how she was carrying her hijab. The top masking is necessary for girls in Iran.
The next month, Salehi launched a music entitled “Battlefield” by which he praised the protesters and referred to the demonstrations as a “revolution.”
“It’s the time of individuals’s anger and riot. It’s time to take away the opportunists,” he rapped within the music.
In April, Salehi’s lawyer, Amir Raisian, stated the rapper had been sentenced to demise on the cost of “corruption on earth,” an offense that has been described as imprecise by rights teams. The information led to outrage on Iranian social media.
Salehi’s lawyer stated he would attraction the sentence, and in June the supreme court docket overturned the demise sentence.
Salehi’s launch was celebrated by critics of the Iranian authorities on Monday.
Toomaj Salehi, a well known Iranian rapper and fearless voice of “Girl, Life, Freedom” rebellion , is lastly free from jail. This can be a testomony to the ability of world solidarity and the impression of elevating our voices for many who can’t converse for themselves.
Toomaj, who was… pic.twitter.com/a3iUVbedp0
— Masih Alinejad 🏳️ (@AlinejadMasih) December 2, 2024
Salehi’s web page on X, which purports to be run by a supporter, confirmed his launch however stated they await the discharge of unspecified others who’ve been imprisoned.
A UN official stated in November of 2022 that 14,000 individuals had been arrested through the protests. The protests largely dissipated in 2023.
Know extra: Salehi’s launch follows the suicide of Iranian activist Kianoosh Sanjar final month. Earlier than his demise, Sanjar stated on social media that he would kill himself if Salehi and three others weren’t launched from jail.
One other Iranian musical artist, Shervin Hajipour, was sentenced to 3 years in jail in April over the protests. Hajipour is thought for the music “Baraye,” which turned an anthem of the protests. His sentence was lower in half in August following an attraction.
