rapper Toomaj Salehi sentenced to more than six years in prison

Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi, arrested at the end of October after expressing his support for the protest against power in his country, was sentenced to more than six years in prison, a local media announced on Monday July 10. The 32-year-old musician was sentenced to six years and three months in prison for “ceruption on earth”said daily Shargh his lawyer, Me Roza Etemad-Ansari.

This popular rapper had supported through his songs and on social networks the protest movement triggered after the death on September 16 of Mahsa Amini, a young Iranian Kurd detained by the morality police, who accused her of having broken the strict dress code. for women.

In November, the Judicial Authority accused the singer of “propaganda against the system”, having “troubled security” from the country, “cooperated with states hostile to the Islamic Republic” and “incited to violence”.

International support

Foreign artists gave him their support, fearing that he would be sentenced to death. His defense said on Monday that Toomaj Salehi was banned from all musical activity for two years, but was acquitted of having “insulted the Iranian Supreme Leader” And “communicated with hostile countries”.The rapper, who was in solitary confinement in Dastguerd prison (center), was transferred to the headquarters of this prison establishment on Monday, added Me Etemad-Ansari.

Several hundred people, including members of the security forces, were killed and thousands arrested during the demonstrations which were held in October and November in Iran, before declining. Seven men were executed for their involvement in this movement.