Death Sentence

Iranian Rapper Toomaj Salehi Avoids Death Penalty After Protesting Government

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Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi has avoided receiving a death sentence for protesting the government after the supreme court reportedly overturned a prior ruling. Salehi’s attorney, Amir Raesian, announced the update in a post on X (formerly Twitter) as translated by Google.

“As expected, the Supreme Court avoided an irreparable judicial error,” the post reads after translation. “The death sentence [#FreeToomaj] was violated and based on the appeal decision of the 39th branch of the Supreme Court, the case will be referred to the parallel branch for consideration. In its detailed ruling, the court branch, in addition to violating the death sentence, has reiterated that even the previous prison sentence (6 years and three months) did not comply with the rules of multiplicity of crimes and is contrary to Article 131 and is in excess of legal punishment.”

Read More: Toomaj Salehi, Iranian Rapper, Receives Death Sentence For Supporting National Protests

Protesters Support Toomaj Salehi

Une femme brandit le portrait du rappeur Toomaj. Salehi accusé de corruption sur terre lors de la manifestation contre la répression en Iran rassemblant un millier d’iraniens le 8 Janvier 2023 à Lyon. (Photo by Robert Deyrail/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

Salehi was initially arrested in 2022 after protesting the death of a 22-year-old woman, Mahsa Amini, who died while in police custody. After the incident, he dropped a song about the situation and encouraged his supporters to protest in response. Check out the latest update in the case below.

Toomaj Salehi Provides An Update

Following Salehi’s sentencing, worldwide protests ensued. The Recording Academy even put up a statement condemning the Iranian government’s actions. “The Recording Academy is deeply troubled by the recent news regarding Toomaj Salehi,” they wrote. “No artist anywhere should have to fear for their life or livelihood when expressing themselves through their art. Music is a powerful force for good in the world and is needed today more than ever. We stand with music creators around the globe who use their gifts to shed light on the human condition and will continue to work tirelessly to protect artistic freedom.” Be on the lookout for further updates on Toomaj Salehi on HotNewHipHop.

Read More: The 10 Best Hip Hop Protest Songs Since The Trayvon Martin Shooting

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Iranian Rapper Toomaj Salehi Sentenced To Death: What We Know

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Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi was sentenced to death last weekend following his participation in national protests in 2022. He was first arrested that year during a series of uprisings after the death of 22 year-old Mahsa Amini. Iranian police arrested her for wearing a loose headscarf. She later passed away in their custody. Since then, Salehi has been in and out of prison, with his latest sentencing declared after his most recent arrest in November. Salehi often celebrates his Iranian heritage in his music and his lyrics often criticize the government. 

The 33-year-old rapper’s lawyer, Amir Raesian, revealed his punishment in a tweet. “The primary court sentenced Toomaj Salehi to the harshest punishment, death, on the charge of ‘corruption on Earth,’” he wrote. The court’s ruling has made international headlines, with many public figures and news outlets covering the story and expressing support for the Iranian rapper. Here is what we know so far about Toomaj Salehi’s death sentence. 

Read More: 11 Of Rap’s Best Political Anthems

Time In Prison & Court Proceedings

Toomaj Salehi was first arrested in October 2022 after releasing music and posting on social media in response to Mahsa Amini’s death. The court sentenced him to three years and six months in prison. Following his arrest, Salehi revealed that he was tortured and spent 252 days in solitary confinement. According to a 2022 press release from the United Nations, he broke both his nose and several fingers and “severely damaged” his leg. CNN also reported that “there were also concerns that his court hearings were taking place behind closed doors without his lawyer present.” 

In July 2023, a court in Isfahan, Iran sentenced Toomaj Salehi to six years in prison. They also banned him from making music for two years. The Iranian Supreme Court later uncovered flaws in Salehi’s sentencing, which prompted his release on bail in November. He was once again arrested just two weeks later. According to Iranian pro-reform outlets Shargh and Entekhab, the Isfahan court “issued the maximum punishment of death,” reversing the Supreme Court’s ruling. CNN reported that state media announced that Salehi’s “sentence is subject for reduction by a pardoning committee if he appeals again.” As of now, he has yet to appeal. 

An Unprecedented Ruling

Toomaj Salehi’s lawyer called his sentencing “unprecedented” as a Supreme Court ruling usually supersedes a lower court like Isfahan. The decision quickly made headlines in international news outlets and rapidly spread across social media. Many American organizations and public figures have condemned the court’s ruling to execute the Iranian rapper and activist. The Recording Academy wrote in a statement that they are “deeply troubled by the recent news regarding Toomaj Salehi.”

No artist anywhere should have to fear for their life or livelihood when expressing themselves through their art,” they continued. “Music is a powerful force for good in the world and is needed today more than ever. We stand with music creators around the globe who use their gifts to shed light on the human condition and will continue to work tirelessly to protect artistic freedom.”

Read More: The 10 Best Hip Hop Protest Songs Since The Trayvon Martin Shooting

Response To Sentencing

Meek Mill also shed light on the situation in a series of tweets. “Free Toomaj!” he wrote in one post and said “Got sentenced to death over a song free that man wtf” in the other. Also advocating for Salehi’s release on Twitter was the United States Office of the Special Envoy for Iran. “These are the latest examples of the regime’s brutal abuse of its own citizens, disregard for human rights, and fear of the democratic change the Iranian people seek,” they wrote. 

The United Nations also issued a statement denouncing Salehi’s sentencing and demanding his release, as did a member of the German Parliament. Additionally, Iranian actors Arian Moayed, Maz Jobrani, and Nazanin Boniadi have expressed support for Salehi. They have been urging for his release since last year. The three partnered with Amnesty International, encouraging others to call for his release. “Toomaj has been arrested for the peaceful exercise of his human rights including the right to freedom of expression,” Boniadi said. For now, this is all we know about the sentencing of Toomaj Salehi. Be sure to check back in with HotNewHipHop for the latest updates.

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Toomaj Salehi, Iranian Rapper, Receives Death Sentence For Supporting National Protests

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In 2022, Iranian authorities arrested 33-year-old local rapper Toomaj Salehi for allegedly supporting national protests. He’s accused of having co-signed demonstrations on behalf Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died in police custody. It is widely speculated that Amini was allegedly killed by authorities for opposing the country’s mandatory hijab laws. It’s also rumored that her family was pressured into claiming her death was a result of the flu. Salehi was previously arrested for allegedly promoting “propaganda against the regime” and “insulting the supreme leadership authority” in September of 2021.

Salehi has now received his sentence, leaving his supporters outraged. He was sentenced to death, according a Tweet posted by his lawyer Amir Raesian earlier this week. “The primary court sentenced Toomaj Salehi to the harshest punishment, death, on the charge of ‘corruption on Earth,’” Raesian said of the ruling. Reportedly, the rapper’s legal team plans to appeal the court’s decision. This means that his sentence could potentially be reduced by a pardoning committee, per state media.

Read More: Iranian Rapper Allegedly Tortured By Government Over Protest Song

Toomaj Salehi Charged With “Corruption On Earth”

After his 2022 arrest, Salehi was freed briefly the following year. He was then arrested again and sent to prison in Isfahan, according to witnesses. In a statement, UN experts said he was rearrested after authorities saw a video of him alleging that he was tortured in custody and held in solitary confinement for 252 days following his first arrest.

“We strongly condemn Toomaj Salehi’s death sentence and the five-year sentence for Kurdish-Iranian rapper Saman Yasin. We call for their immediate release,” the United States’ Office of the Special Envoy for Iran Tweeted of the ruling earlier this week. “These are the latest examples of the regime’s brutal abuse of its own citizens, disregard for human rights, and fear of the democratic change the Iranian people seek.” What do you think of Toomaj Salehi being sentenced to death for supporting national protests in Iran? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.

Read More: Rappers Who Have Received Lengthy Prison Sentences

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Kim Kardashian Apologizes As Ivan Cantu Calls Out “Idiot” Social Media Manager For Using Wrong Photo

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Kim Kardashian has made prison reform and pursuing a law degree among her top priorities over the past few years, and though she works hard to help everyone she can, the 42-year-old doesn’t always get it all right. As she continues to advocate for Texas death row inmate Ivan Abner Cantu, Kardashian found herself in some hot water after another man of the same name’s photo was used in a social media post calling on Governor Greg Abbott to reconsider ending Cantu’s life. According to the reality starlet, the prisoner was wrongfully convicted of killing his cousin and fiancee – she’s been helping to share his story since earlier this year.

When the New York-based Cantu came across Kardashian’s Instagram Story, he put out a message online to soothe any worries stirred up amongst his loved ones thanks to the mishap. “To all my friends and family, I am not getting executed, some idiot who runs @kimkardashian [socials] used my picture instead of Ivan ‘Abner’ Cantu,” he shared on Facebook earlier this week, OK! Magazine reports. Afterward, the East Coaster said he totally “understands that someone from Kim’s team likely shared the incorrect image by mistake,” but still “wouldn’t be opposed to an apology” from her.

Read More: Kim Kardashian’s Prison Reform Efforts Continue As She Meets Solitary Inmates

Kim Kardashian Fights for Ivan Cantu’s Freedom

To make things right on her end, the SKIMS founder did just that. “A wrong image of Mr. Cantu was posted earlier today and I would like to apologize to the person who’s image was used in error,” Kardashian continued before returning to her fight for Cantu’s life.

On the topic of Kim Kardashian and her famous family, her former brother-in-law, Lamar Odom, was recently asked about his thoughts on the alleged family curse. Looking back, it’s no secret that most of the men who have been involved with Kourtney, Kim, Khloe, Kendall, or Kylie have faced dramatic setbacks in their careers. Still, the former NBA star doesn’t think there’s any validity to the rumours. Read everything he had to say at the link below and check back later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.

Read More: Lamar Odom Rejects Idea Of “Kardashian Curse”

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