In brief
After two years of imprisonment, Toomaj Salehi has been released from Iranian custody after the Supreme Court overturned his death sentence. The rapper was previously sentenced for his vocal opposition against the Iranian government and his participation in protests spurred by Mahsa Amini's death.
Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi has been released from prison after his death sentence was overturned, marking a significant moment for free speech in Iran. Salehi was initially imprisoned for over two years due to his outspoken support for anti-government protests that erupted following the tragic death of Mahsa Amini while in police custody in September 2022. His release was confirmed by Iran's judiciary-run Mizan news agency, which reported that Salehi had served a total of one year for charges related to propaganda against the state. He received a sentence of six years and three months in July 2023, narrowly escaping the death penalty thanks to a Supreme Court ruling that ultimately led to the annulment of his initial death sentence in June.Despite his popularity, the 34-year-old rapper faced censorship prior to his arrest, which banned him from performing at concerts. His legal troubles heightened after he aimed to share his experience of alleged torture by Iranian intelligence, which contributed to a string of charges against him, including spreading misinformation and disturbing public order.Activists and organizations, such as Index on Censorship, praised Salehi's release and emphasized that he "should never have been imprisoned to begin with." His arrest had coincided with widespread civic unrest across Iran, where demonstrations erupted amidst discontent over fundamental rights following Amini's death, leading to hundreds being killed and thousands arrested throughout the turbulent period.
