Iran’s Supreme Court overturned the death sentence imposed on rapper Toomaj Salehi, citing that it was not by Iranian law and was too severe on June 22, 2024.
Mr. Salehi had been condemned to death for alleged offenses such as “corruption on earth,” but his conviction and sentence stemmed from his use of music and voice to advocate for Iranian women and speak out against his mistreatment in prison.
The Supreme Court’s ruling ensures that Mr. Salehi will not face execution for exercising his basic rights.
This decision marks the end of over three years of legal harassment – including arrest, detention, and abuse – aimed at Mr. Salehi, whose music and activism have backed protest movements throughout Iran, exposed corruption, and sought greater human rights for all Iranians.
The death sentence for Mr. Salehi was issued by Branch 1 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court on April 23, 2024. He was sentenced to death for offences such as “participating in rebellion against the state,” “conspiring against national security,” and “anti-state propaganda.”
These charges were deemed as “corruption on earth,” which carries a death penalty under the Islamic Penal Code.
The ruling also imposed a two-year travel ban and a two-year ban on artistic activities. This verdict contradicted the principles of a functioning and impartial judiciary.
On Saturday (June 22), the MC’s lawyer Amir Raesian shared the news on Twitter in Farsi.
“As expected, the Supreme Court avoided an irreparable judicial error,” the post reads when translated to English. “The death sentence [Toomaj] was violated and based on the appeal decision of the 39th branch of the Supreme Court, the case will be referred to the parallel branch for consideration.”
He continued: “In its detailed ruling, the court branch, in addition to violating the death sentence, has reiterated that even the previous prison sentence (6 years and three months) did not comply with the rules of a multiplicity of crimes and is contrary to Article 131 and is more than legal punishment.”
In 2022, Iran experienced a period of political turmoil after the mysterious circumstances surrounding the demise of Mahsa Amini. The 22-year-old was detained by the police for not adhering to the hijab requirement when she tragically passed away.
This unfortunate event triggered a series of protests against the strict religious laws and oppressive enforcement.
As the demonstrations gained momentum, they evolved into a movement against the mistreatment of women throughout the country.
Toomaj Salehi, a 32-year-old rapper, emerged as a prominent figure in this movement, using his music and social media presence to criticize those in power. However, his activism eventually resulted in his arrest.
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