IRAN’s supreme court has overturned a death sentence against a popular rapper in a shocking U-turn.
Toomaj Salehi, 33, was put behind bars for backing nationwide protests sparked by Mahsa Amini‘s death, who was killed in police custody after allegedly wearing an “improper” hijab.
Toomaj Salehi boldly criticised Iran’s leadership through his rap music
But Salehi’s death sentence was overturned as the supreme court ordered a retrial, his lawyer said on Saturday.
Lawyer Amir Raisian shared in a post on X: “Salehi’s death sentence was overturned.”
Salehi’s fate has been going back and forth in the hands of Iran’s supreme court.
He was first sentenced in 2023 to six years and three months in prison, but avoided a death sentence due to a Supreme Court ruling.
But in January this year, a court in Isfahan accused him of new charges despite the ruling and he was sentenced to be hanged.
In another move, the brave rapper has once again escaped death under Tehran’s brutal laws.
Through his music, Salehi bravely criticised the leadership of Iran, railing against their corruption and crackdowns on dissent.
His anti-regime songs were used as a backdrop to the “Women, Life, Freedom” protests that broke out across Iran after Amini was beaten to death for wearing an “improper” hijab on on September, 2022.
In what became known as the headscarf revolution, months of unrest followed.
Women of all ages ripped off their compulsory hijabs at public demonstrations in defiance of the nation’s feared morality police.
Hundreds of people were killed, including dozens of security personnel, in a brutal crackdown and thousands of protesters were arrested.
Reports of torture and death at the hands of officials have also surfaced.
Iranian officials labelled the protests “riots” and accused Tehran’s foreign foes of fomenting the unrest.
Prior to the unexpected U-turn on his death sentence, the rapper’s family said he will “stand strong until the end”.
Salehi’s cousin Azadeh Babadi praised his strength, telling ITV News: “In a situation like this he thinks of us, his family and his fans instead of being worried for himself.”
In terms of what her cousin be thinking, Babadi said: “I think he would say it’s okay. I know what I stand for, and I’m prepared to face whatever consequences come my way.
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll stand strong until the very end.”
Babadi added that the whole family had “no hope” in the Iranian regime but begged people around the world to mount pressure on the state.
Negin Niknaam, a close friend of Salehi, said his death sentence was “baseless” and accused the regime of trying to silence him.
“Toomaj has always been the voice of the voiceless in Iran through his music. His fans refer to him as the son of Iran, the lion of Iran.”
