Iran

FBI Thwarts Another Alleged Assassination Attempt On Donald Trump’s Life

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Donald Trump has now faced various attempts on his life, and that’s not counting the ones that remained plans instead of full-on attempts. For example, according to The Washington Post, law enforcement charged three men in connection to an alleged plot to assassinate the convicted United States president-elect during his successful campaign for a second term in office. An FBI agent’s sworn testimony detailed phone conversations with Farhad Shakeri, a correspondent for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps who is one of the three men federal authorities accused of this plot. Shakeri alleged that he and the codefendants planned to assassinate the Republican politician in mid-September.

Allegedly, they received a deadline of October 7 to come up with a plot, but plans did not find an opportunity to manifest due to Farhad Shakeri’s contact in the Guard Corps’ disapproval. According to Shakeri, his contact found their plan to lack in strategic value, and suggested that they attempt to resume the plot after the election. They mistakenly thought Donald Trump would lose, according to Shakeri’s alleged testimony. “[Shakeri] was tasked by the regime to direct a network of criminal associates to further Iran’s assassination plots against its targets, including president-elect Donald J. Trump,” Attorney General Merrick Garland stated.

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Alleged Donald Trump Assassination Attempt Thwarted

Furthermore, law enforcement arrested Fahrad Shakeri’s alleged associates, Carlisle Rivera and Jonathan Loadholt, without bond. Reportedly, they are New York City residents. As for Shakeri, federal authorities believe he is on the run in Iran. Fortunately, it seems like this alleged plot never came to fruition and did not result in any loss of life or damage. Meanwhile, the world continues to react to Donald Trump’s win over Democratic candidate Kamala Harris.

“It goes like this… America is a liar, yeah, yeah, yeah,” Tamar Braxton shared on social media. “Y’all lied… Lied, lied, lied, lied. Oh my god, I cried myself to sleep last night… I don’t trust them. I don’t trust none of y’all. Oh my God, y’all sat up here and said ‘Kamala,’ ‘Kamala,’ ‘Kamala,’ I feel so unaccomplished as a Black woman. So unappreciated. Like y’all would rather have someone who blatantly says, ‘Grab them by the p***y’ and give them a microphone like they giving a blow job…”

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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. 

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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.”

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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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Cristiano Ronaldo Could Face “Lashings” Over Iran Adultery Charges

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Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly been sentenced to 99 lashings in Iran over adultery charges. Ronaldo was in the nation last month for an Asian Champions League match when he was seen hugging Iranian painter Fatima Hamimi after she gifted him two paintings. According to Iranian law, it is a criminal offense to touch another woman while in a relationship. However, some outlets have noted that he could be pardoned if he expresses remorse for his actions.

Ronaldo is not scheduled to play in Iran again for the rest of the season. However, that could potentially change if Al-Nassr were drawn against an Iranian team in the knockout stages of the Champions League. It’s unclear if Hamimi will also face punishment for the interaction.

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Ronaldo, Al-Nassr Seeking Title

Away from the troubling legal issues, Ronaldo and Al-Nassr are firmly in the hunt for a domestic title. Despite going undefeated in their last seven games (6W, 1D), the team remains in third thanks to back-to-back losses to start the season. Ronaldo currently leads the team with 17 goals in 17 games. The Saudi Pro League is currently led by Al-Hilal, who are unbeaten through nine games. Al-Nassr will travel to Al-Hilal on November 30.

In other soccer news, Ronaldo’s former Manchester United teammate Wayne Rooney has returned to English football. Birmingham City FC, the English soccer club in which Tom Brady is a minority owner, hired Rooney as their new manager this week. Rooney, who left DC United of the MLS last weekend, replaces John Eustace, who was fired on Monday. “I have been building my managerial career, putting myself in challenging environments, to get me ready for this opportunity. It’s a project that gives me a sense of purpose. I can’t wait to get started,” Rooney said in a statement. Birmingham, who survived a relegation battle last season, is currently in sixth place in the EFL Championship. Furthermore, Rooney reportedly rejected a bid from a Saudi club to join Birmingham.

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