Toomaj Salehi, a popular Iranian rapper known for protest songs against government policies and harsh social conditions in Iran, received a death sentence. His charges? “Spreading corruption on the Earth.”
A revolutionary court in Iran condemned Salehi to death on April 24, 2024. The same court had convicted him to 75 months in jail in July 2023 on the same charges. However, in November 2023, he was temporarily freed on bail.
Upon his release, Salehi publicly disclosed the torment he experienced while in detention. Many allege that his action brought him a death row sentence as a part of the state’s retribution.
It might take time before the execution of the musician’s punishment. However, people worldwide have disapproved of this severe punishment and have not hesitated to show their love. So, why is the 33-year-old rapper so beloved among the public? Let’s learn more about his life.
Quick Facts
| Name | Toomaj Salehi |
| Age | 33 years (December 3, 1990) |
| Profession | Singer, Rapper, and Songwriter |
| Genre | Hiphop |
| Active | 2017-present |
Who Is Rebel Rapper Toomaj Salehi?
Toomaj is a 33-year-old Isfahan-born rapper from the Bakhtiari tribe. He is prominent for his songs criticizing the Iranian government’s policies.
Salehi, who holds a degree in mechanical engineering, started his career in hip-hop at a young age. His brother influenced him to listen to rap music, and in no time, he became determined to pursue a rap journey. He takes Tupac Shakur as his inspiration.
Before his music career, Salehi used to work in a metalworking factory.
Salehi received the Freedom of Expression Art Award in 2023 from the Index on Censorship for his “unwavering commitment to using his talent as a tool against injustice.”. At that time, he served his time in jail. The rapper then gave his monetary benefits from the award to the victims of the recent floods in Iran. Talk about a man with a golden heart!
The rapper publicly backed the demonstrations and campaign for Woman, Life, and Freedom in the wake of Mahsa Jina Amini’s death in detention in 2022.
His bold vocals about injustice and human rights violations earned him admirers in Iran and around the globe. These admirers include many celebrities and bands, such as Coldplay and Sting.
What Is Toomaj’s Offense? Why Is He Facing a Death Penalty?
On September 12, 2021, the Iranian security authorities arrested Toomaj from his home in Shahin Shahr. The charges brought against him were “Propaganda against the regime” and “insulting the supreme leadership authority.”
On September 21, he was freed on bail while awaiting trial. The Islamic Revolutionary Court of Shahin Shahr sentenced Salehi to six months in prison and a fine on January 23, 2022.
By October of that year, Toomaj was once in jail again for allegedly being the leader of the riot at Mahsa Amini protests. However, many believed it was because his song “Faal” lyrics criticized the Iranian government.
Fast-forward to July 2023, he faced six years and three months in prison while awaiting trial for the charges of “corruption on Earth,” which carries the death penalty. Salehi got a brief release on bail on November 18, 2023, only to get detained in a few days.
The rearrest came after he released a video stating his dreadful experience while in prison. The ISNA news agency charged him with “publication of lies on a large scale, in a way that has caused major damages.”
As a result, a new trial against him at the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Isfahan saw him a death sentence on April 24, 2024.
Family Worry That He Might Not Be Alive In Death Row
His family members have stated that they think the rapper has been tortured. Since his arrest, they have not seen him and are unsure of his survival. Some are even worried that he might not be alive while being on death row. Azadeh Babadi, a cousin in the UK, has expressed concerns that evidence against Salehi might be fabricated.
How Did Toomaj’s Clash With Government Started?
Salehi’s vocals in his rap about the situation in his country made him popular. Unfortunately, this was also the root cause of his arrest and legal troubles, which ultimately led to capital punishment.
Retaliation Started With The Song ‘Rat Hole’
The song “Rat Hole,” by Salehi, who publicly criticized the Islamic Republic and its autocratic government, went viral for the first time in September 2021. This song would bring positive attention from the public. However, the attention from the State security would not be so merciful.
Fast-forward to October 2022. Hrearrestedrrearrestedrested out following the release of his song “Divination.” Its line, “Someone’s crime was that her hair was flowing in the wind / Someone’s crime was that he or she was brave and outspoken,” caused a lot of stir.
Videos Released by IRIB
Brief video footage featuring Salehi sitting on the ground, blinded, and with a swollen face was released by the Young Journalists Club (YJC), a media organization connected to the IRIB, on November 2, 2022.
Salehi speaks, “[I’m] Toomaj Salehi.” I said that I’m sorry. My statement was, As a friend, I advise you to run.” The video opens with a brief clip of Salehi’s already-deleted social media post telling security forces to “run away” and abandon their posts rather than oppressing people.
Later, Salehi was referred to as “one of the leaders of recent riots” and “instigating sedition online” in a story by IRIB, which featured the footage. On November 2, 2022, the report aired, and two days later, the IRIB website uploaded the video.
The government-run daily Iran and other Iranian state media outlets released a new video on December 6, 2022, titled “Toomaj Salehi: I apologize to the society for the violence I caused.”
The video begins with edited scenes from a music video Salehi made for a rap song released in October 2022. In the video, he denounces the dictatorship as oppressive and corrupt. In the song, Toomaj claims he is resisting the oppressive “head of the pyramid” and that he “rises from the bottom” of society. Salehi is heard in three different sections of the film that the state media broadcast.
Toomaj Is Getting Support Throughout The World
The whole world is backing up the rapper for his safe and sound release from jail and dismissal of his penalty.
The United Nations has demanded his release, and more than 100 musicians, writers, and artists, including Margaret Atwood, Sting, and Coldplay, have signed a petition started by the Index on Censorship demanding his immediate and unconditional release.
Both the Iranian diaspora and many young Iranians, some of whom have organized street rallies, support Salehi. They use the hashtag #FreeToomajSalehi on social media. In a video aired in Iran, his buddy and musical partner, the rapper Afrasiab, declared that “enforcing this sentence is the biggest blunder of the century.
Salehi has received tremendous praise as a national hero; in fact, a protest by retirees in the southwest province of Khuzestan mentioned him.
The Centre for Human Rights in Iran in New York’s executive director, Hadi Ghaemi, claims that Salehi’s case underlines the apparent unlawful conduct and unfairness of the Islamic Republic’s judicial system.
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Bidhya Sagar Shrestha is an experienced content writer with a solid content creation and digital marketing background. His majors in entrepreneurship and marketing give him a deep understanding of business environments and marketing strategies.
Over his two-year career, Bidhya has worked with many clients, from startups to established businesses, producing over 700 blog posts and news articles. His passion for writing has driven his professional path and personal aspirations.
