"Corruption on earth"

Iranian celebrity rapper sentenced to death

Toomaj Salehi: The Iranian rapper was sentenced to death.(Bild: Screenshot/Instagram.com)

The well-known Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi has been sentenced to death in a controversial trial. According to Islamic law, Salehi was accused of "corruption on earth" - a charge that is often criticized for its arbitrary application.

According to the Iranian newspaper "Shargh", the lawyer announced his intention to appeal against the verdict. Salehi had become a symbol of protest with his criticism of the Islamic Republic's system during the mass demonstrations in the fall of 2022.

Released on bail in November
On Salehi's social media channels, which are run by his relatives, the musician had already spoken of a verdict on Tuesday evening, without revealing any details. Salehi was surprisingly released on bail in November. A few days later, the 33-year-old published a video on YouTube in which he accused the judiciary of torture during his detention in Isfahan. The musician was then arrested again.

Political grievances denounced in lyrics
Salehi was arrested during the wave of protests in the fall of 2022 and later sentenced to six years in prison. In the meantime, it was said that the musician could hope for a reprieve. In the past, the rapper had denounced social and political grievances in the country with his critical lyrics. On social media, he was quick to show solidarity with the demonstrators protesting against the government's repressive course and the Islamic system of rule.

In connection with Salehi's case, the EU imposed sanctions on those responsible in June 2023. Among those affected was the Attorney General of Isfahan province. According to the EU, he had brought charges against the musician at the time. Last year, the rapper was said to be imprisoned under cruel conditions.

Human rights activists have criticized the use of the death penalty in Iran for decades. There are no official figures on executions. According to Amnesty International, 853 people were executed last year - the highest number since 2015. Executions in the context of the mass protests in the fall of 2022 sparked particularly strong international protest. At least nine cases are known.