Iranian Rapper Toomaj Salehi Faces Communication Ban Following Death Sentence

Toomaj Salehi, an Iranian rapper who was sentenced to death, has been denied the right to make phone calls since April 27.

Salehi's lawyer, Amir Raisian, shared on his X account while announcing this news that his client "mentioned during a meeting with his father yesterday that the reason for this was information circulating on the internet."

On Wednesday, Raisian confirmed to Shargh newspaper the death sentence issued to the artist by Branch 1 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court.

Before this confirmation, from Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan, Salehi purportedly posted a message on the social media platform X, hinting at the verdict without disclosing details. He expressed concern for his fans' psychological well-being, especially considering their young age and health.

Salehi was initially arrested in October 2022 after voicing support for the nationwide Woman, Life, Freedom protests that had erupted in September of that year.

He released songs criticizing the government and supporting the protests, demanding more freedoms and women's rights.

He also posted pictures and videos of himself during the demonstrations.

In July 2023, a court sentenced the artist to six years and three months in prison for "corruption on Earth."

He was released on bail on November 18 last year after the Supreme Court, responding to an appeal, found "flaws in the original sentence" and returned the case to a lower court for reexamination and possible retrial.

Salehi was returned to jail less than two weeks later to face new charges after publicly discussing his torture in prison in a video.