Iran’s Supreme Court has overturned the death sentence of Toomaj Salehi, a prominent government critic and hip-hop artist known for his outspoken lyrics, according to his lawyer, Amir Raisian, who announced the decision on Saturday via social media platform X. Salehi gained notoriety for his music addressing the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody in 2022.
In his post, Raisian stated that the Supreme Court deemed Salehi’s six years in prison “excessive” and determined that the initial punishment exceeded legal limits. The case will now undergo review by another branch of the court.
Salehi’s ordeal began with his arrest in connection to his music and participation in protests following the death of Mahsa Amini, who died while detained by Iran’s morality police. His arrest and subsequent sentencing sparked international condemnation, including from the United States and United Nations experts, who criticized Iran’s handling of dissent and human rights abuses.
After spending a year in prison, Salehi was released in November, only to be rearrested shortly afterwards for speaking out about alleged torture during his detention. A video released by state media showed Salehi blindfolded and making a coerced apology. In 2023, he was sentenced to over six years in prison.
Iran’s response to protests and dissent has been heavily scrutinized by international bodies, with UN investigators attributing responsibility for Amini’s death to Iranian authorities. The crackdown on protests reportedly resulted in over 500 deaths and tens of thousands detained.
The overturning of Salehi’s death sentence marks a significant development in his case, highlighting ongoing human rights challenges in Iran and the global scrutiny surrounding them.
