In Iran, a man’s life is threatened. A court has just sentenced to death a famous rapper, imprisoned for more than a year for supporting demonstrations in favor of women’s emancipation. His supporters have launched a campaign on social networks which is putting pressure on the country’s authorities.
Toomaj Salehi is a star in Iran. Aged 33, the rapper has no less than 2 million subscribers on social networks.
The man openly supports the protest movement launched by Iranian women and singer participated in demonstrations alongside women who refuse to wear the veil two years ago. It was there that he was arrested by the police.
In a video published in November 2022, he denounces the torture of which he is a victim during his incarceration. He explains in particular how his jailers broke his fingers when he wanted to protect himself from the blows.
“Corruption on earth”
These words have earned him today the death penalty by the Mullahs’ regime. Charge: corruption on earth, according to Sharia law.
“Those who took part in the riots must be treated firmly”declared Ebrahim Raïssi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. “This is the people’s demand.”
A conviction “disproportionate” according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, which calls for the immediate and unconditional release of the rapper. “All those imprisoned for exercising their freedom of opinion and expression, including artistic expression, must be released“, indicated Jeremy Laurence, the spokesperson for the High Commission.
Extreme punishments
Iran practices the death penalty on a large scale. 853 executions in 2023, a record for ten years according to Amnesty International. Fans and relatives of the rapper are organizing a demonstration of support today and are hoping for international mobilization to try to save him.
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