BIO
Toomaj is an Iranian hip hop artist mostly known for his protest songs concerning Iran’s societal issues and the policies of the Islamic republic.
His well-known for his song mouse hole “Soroukhe Mooshe”. Toomaj was initial arrested on Sep 12,
2021 for charges of ‘propaganda against the regime’ and ‘insulting the supreme leadership.
He was released on bail from Dastgerd Prison in Isfarhan on 21 September 2021. in Jan 2022 they sentenced him to 6 months in jail and fine. The sentence was suspended for a year.
REARREST
Toomaj was detained in late October again after criticizing the Islamic Republic and expressing solidarity with the protest movement, after the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody.
He was active on social media and did an interview with CBC. a US-based human rights group said on Saturday that Toomaj Salehi’s trial had begun “without an attorney of his choice,” and his family said his “life is in danger.”
CHARGES
Head of the judiciary in Isfahan confirmed that Mr. Salehi had been indicted on the charge of “corruption on earth”, the semi-official ISNA news agency reported, adding that he was accused of the “publication of lies on a large scale, in a way that has caused major damages”. he could face the
death sentence.
PUBLIC OUTCRY
the Iranian community is very concerned about Toomaj’s baseless charges.
Amnesty International tweeted “Iran’s authorities must immediately and unconditionally release #tomajsalehi, a dissident rap artist detained solely for exercising his right to freedom of expression. in his songs, he spoke out against repression, corruption, poverty and impunity & called for accountability.”
“We live somewhere
horrific. You are dealing
with a mafia that is ready
to kill the entire nation…
in order to keep its power,
money and weapons.”
Toomaj Salehi
Detained Dissicent Rapper in Iran