Iranian Rap Singer Toumaj Salehi Sentenced to Death Sparks Global Protests and Outrage

An Iranian court’s decision to sentence Toumaj Salehi, an Iranian rap singer and government critic, to death has sparked global protests. This also undermines Iran’s efforts to gain benefits by arguing that the protests against the genocide in the Gaza Strip are human rights violations.

Large crowds formed in the United States, Europe and Canada to support Salehi on Sunday. Political prisoners in Ghazal Hesar prison in Iran have issued a joint statement saying that they are witnessing the most serious human rights violations going on in Iran. Along with this, Thumaj Salehi has received strong support from American rappers and other human rights groups.

Iran was closely monitoring the protests against Israel that were going on, including in the United States. In April alone, 900 students were detained in the United States. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that students in France and America are taking to the streets in large numbers and shouting slogans against Israel and America and this is affecting the image of America and Israel.

At the same time, the Iranian opposition media condemned the news that a dissident artist like Salehi was executed for damaging the country’s image around the world. Newspapers also consider it shocking that a rap singer who was not ready to fight the government beyond criticism was executed.

Salehi is attracting public attention by working for the advancement of women and being part of the freedom struggle. Salehi was arrested in October 2022 for protesting the murder of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody for not wearing a hijab.

Salehi was sentenced to six years and three months in prison in July 2023 following a report by experts from the United Nations that Salehi was suffering brutal torture in prison. Last November, Iran’s Supreme Court granted bail to Salehi citing technical issues with the sentence. By then, Salehi had been in prison for over a year. It included 200 days of solitary confinement. He was arrested again two weeks after being granted bail.

When he was on bail, he made another song. It was about the torture he suffered in prison, including adrenaline injections. Last week, the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan sentenced Saleh to death. He has 20 days to appeal.

In Iran, the religious police are again taking strict measures against women regarding their dress code. Executions for breaking religious laws are also on the rise. This year alone, the number of people killed has reached 147. This is what Salehi once said about the religious police: “Iranian people have been dealing with mafia all their lives, mafia who are willing to do anything to protect their power, money and weapons. “