Iran sentenced a popular rapper to death for supporting protests – Respublika.lt

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Rapper Toomaj Salehi. Social network photo.

An Iranian court has sentenced to death a popular rapper who was jailed for more than a year and a half for supporting nationwide protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, local media reported Wednesday.

An Iranian court has sentenced to death a popular rapper who was jailed for more than a year and a half for supporting nationwide protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, local media reported Wednesday.

“Department 1 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court…sentenced Toomaj Salehi to death on the charge of corruption on Earth,” the singer’s lawyer, Amir Raisian, was quoted as saying by the reformist Shargh newspaper.

“Corruption (or corruption) on Earth” is a term used by Iranian authorities to refer to a variety of crimes, including those related to Islamic morality.

Mr. Salehi, 33, was arrested in October 2022 after publicly supporting a wave of demonstrations a month earlier, sparked by the death in custody of Ms. Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd who was detained for violating the Islamic republic’s strict dress code for women.

The court “has taken an unprecedented step to emphasize its independence and not comply with the Supreme Court’s decision,” the lawyer said, adding that “we will definitely appeal the verdict.”

“The Supreme Court, as an appellate body, examined the case and in its order directed the lower court to remove the defects in the verdict,” he added.

“The fact is that the court verdict has clear legal contradictions,” the lawyer said. “The opposition to the Supreme Court ruling is considered the most important and at the same time the strangest part of this decision.”

According to him, the Revolutionary Court accused Mr. Salehi of “supporting rebellion, assembly and conspiracy, propaganda against the system and inciting riots.”

After Amini’s death on September 16, 2022, months of unrest have left hundreds dead, including dozens of security personnel, and thousands more arrested. Iranian officials called the protests “riots” and accused Tehran’s enemies abroad of fomenting the unrest.

Nine people were executed in protest-related cases for killings and other violence against security forces.