What is going on in Iran? Rapper Toomaj Salehi is likely facing the death penalty after being arrested for “corruption on earth.” It is a vague crime that covers all social and political offenses! Videos of his political activity can be found on his social media linked below. His music also has decisively political lyricism. Though he is political, he certainly doesn’t deserve death!
Execution seems more and more likely as it has now been reported on Twitter that the Iranian rapper has been severely beaten along with the #FREETOOMAJ. As of yet, no date of execution has been set. Authorities released a confession video on December 6. In the video he is heard saying, “Music can produce violence. I have made mistakes, I do apologize. I apologize to you and the society for any violence that I have instigated.”
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باوجود احتمال از دست رفتن بینایی چشم #توماج_صالحی در اثر ضربات وارد شده، او از خانواده درخواست کرده برایش کتاب ببرند تا بخواند.
هنرمندی با این روحیات ۶۹روز است که با اتهامات بی‌اساس در انفرادیست. درصورت ازدست رفتن بینایی او این قصور متوجه مسئولان ذیربط خواهد بود.#FreeToomaj PIC.TWITTER.COM/LSHWAS4YD6— توماج صالحی🌋 (@OfficialToomaj) January 6, 2023
Rappers are so often the only voice of justice for their communities. The executive director of the New York-based Center for Human Rights in Iran, Hadi Ghaemi, is not hopeful that Toomaj’s life will be spared. He says there is no justice in court because there is never any investigation, due process, there is no right to defend oneself, nor to seek independent counsel. “These courtrooms are really not a place of justice since they don’t involve any investigation, due process or the right of a defendant to defend himself and have independent counsel.”
Looks like Iran has taken “Cancel Culture” to another level!
#FREETOOMAJ