In a significant reversal, Iran's Supreme Court has overturned the death sentence of Toomaj Salehi, a prominent hip-hop artist and government critic whose music and activism have challenged the Iranian regime's policies. Salehi, 33, gained prominence for his outspoken lyrics addressing social issues and injustices, notably the death of Mahsa Amini in 2022 while in police custody.
Amir Raisian, Salehi's lawyer, announced the court's decision on social media, stating that Salehi's previous six-year imprisonment exceeded legal limits, prompting a reevaluation of his case by another judicial branch. The initial death sentence, issued in April by a Revolutionary Court in Isfahan, sparked international outcry and raised questions about due process in Iran's judiciary, known for closed-door trials and limited rights for defendants.
Salehi's arrest in October 2022 came amidst widespread protests following Amini's death, which ignited public outrage over the treatment of women by Iran's morality police. Amini had been detained for wearing her hijab loosely, a charge that intensified public dissent against the regime. Salehi's music became a rallying point for protesters, with lyrics that criticized government actions and predicted societal change.
The Revolutionary Court charged Salehi with offenses including "assistance in sedition, assembly and collusion, propaganda against the system and calling for riots," according to Raisian. His imprisonment and subsequent sentencing were widely condemned by international bodies such as the United Nations and several countries, including the United States, which characterized the case as part of Iran's systematic crackdown on dissent.
Following a brief release in November 2023, during which Salehi alleged he was tortured, he was rearrested and sentenced to an additional term of more than six years in prison. State media circulated a video showing Salehi blindfolded and making a coerced apology, highlighting concerns over Iran's treatment of detainees and forced confessions under duress.
The United Nations investigators concluded that Iran was responsible for Amini's death and criticized the regime's handling of the subsequent protests, which resulted in over 500 deaths and more than 22,000 detentions. The executions of nine individuals linked to protest-related violence underscored the severity of Iran's response to dissent during the unrest.
Salehi's case exemplifies broader issues of human rights and judicial transparency in Iran, drawing attention to the regime's suppression of free speech and peaceful assembly. Despite the Supreme Court's decision to overturn his death sentence, concerns remain about his ongoing imprisonment and the fate of other activists and dissenters facing similar charges.
International advocacy groups continue to monitor Salehi's situation closely, calling for his unconditional release and urging Iran to uphold fundamental human rights principles. The global response to Salehi's case reflects ongoing tensions between Iran and the international community over civil liberties, justice, and governance, underscoring the complexities of Iran's domestic policies and their global ramifications.
