Human Rights
Iranian Rapper Toomaj Salehi sentenced to death for lyrics denouncing Tehran's repression
The Iranian regime has handed down a sentence that threatens to silence one of the nation's most critical and challenging voices: that of rapper Toomaj Salehi. He was sentenced to death for the lyrics of his songs.
April 24, 2024 10:50pm
Updated: April 25, 2024 8:52am
The Iranian regime has handed down a sentence that threatens to silence one of the nation's most critical and challenging voices: that of rapper Toomaj Salehi, sentenced to death for the lyrics of his songs, which denounce government corruption and lack of freedom.
Salehi, whose music has been a vehicle for social and political criticism, now faces capital punishment after being charged with “corruption on Earth” by an Islamic revolutionary court in Isfahan.
The ruling even contradicts a previous decision by Iran's Supreme Court, which had ruled that Salehi's case qualified for an amnesty. Amir Raesian, the rapper’s defense lawyer, denounced the “obvious legal contradictions” in the revolutionary court's decision and has announced his intention to appeal the conviction.
The case of Toomaj Salehi represents the fight for freedom of expression in a regime that is increasingly intolerant of dissident voices. Through his writings, Salehi has openly challenged the corruption and oppression of the Iranian government, shaming those who attempt to “whitewash” the regime's crimes.
In one of his most popular songs, “The Mouse Hole,” Salehi addresses regime collaborators, warning them to find a place to hide, because they will soon be punished. “Corporate journalist, cheap informant, court artist, buy a mouse hole,” the theme goes.
Despite being arrested and released in 2021 for releasing songs denouncing the government, Salehi continued to release music videos expressing his opposition to the Iranian regime. In 2022, he joined a chorus of voices supporting the protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old girl who died in police custody after being arrested for allegedly failing to comply with hijab laws.
Iranian rap has become a vehicle for criticism of the regime amid the protests and has placed several stars of the genre in the crosshairs of the authorities. But despite the repression, Salehi's sentence has sparked a wave of solidarity in the world of Iranian music.
Mehdi Yarrahi, an Iranian pop singer, described Salehi's conviction as a “black comedy” in a post on X (formerly Twitter). Yarrahi himself was arrested last August by the Islamic Republic due to his songs in support of the Mahsa Amini protests.
“Release my brother unconditionally, or the smoke from this fire will burn your eyes,” Yarrahi wrote, joining many other Iranians demanding Salehi's freedom.
