In brief
Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi has finally been set free after his death sentence was overturned. He was imprisoned for two years after speaking out against the government and supporting protests sparked by the tragic death of Mahsa Amini in police custody. Initially arrested in October 2022, his death sentence was rejected in June, leading to his release this Sunday after serving a year for lesser charges.
Salehi, known for his bold critiques in music, had already faced a ban on performances before his arrest. His struggles included a prior six-year sentence and a brief release on bail, before being rearrested for suggesting he was tortured during his detention. Following his controversial charges, including “corruption on earth,” Salehi became a symbol of the fight for justice in Iran. As protests raged after Amini's death, with many casualties and arrests, campaigners have celebrated Salehi's release, emphasizing that he should never have been imprisoned at all.
