Iran sentences rapper to death for supporting popular protests in his songs

Cross posted from: beehaw.org/post/13393970

An Iranian rapper jailed for supporting anti-government protests has been sentenced to death, his lawyer has said.

Toomaj Salehi in his songs supported protests in 2022 that erupted over the death of Mahsa Amini, a woman who died in police custody after allegedly wearing an “improper” hijab.

One of Mr Salehi’s lawyers, Amir Raesian, said the rapper would appeal against the issuing of a death sentence.

Iranian authorities have not commented.

Mr Salehi was first arrested in October 2022 after making public statements in support of protests and he was charged with numerous offences.

He was sentenced in July 2023 to six years and three months prison after avoiding a death sentence due to a Supreme Court ruling.