Family of Iranian rapper, 33, sentenced to death for standing against regime say he’ll ‘stand strong till the very end’

7 months ago 3

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THE devastated family of an Iranian rapper sentenced to death for using his music to criticise the regime said he will ” stand strong until the end”.

Toomaj Salehi, 33, was arrested in 2022 in the midst of a powerful uprising triggered by the death in custody of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini.

Toomaj Salehi’s family say he will ‘stand strong until the very end’[/caption]

He has now be sentenced to death after boldly criticised Iran’s leadership through his rap music[/caption]

Demonstrators gathered in Berlin today to protest against Salehi’s death sentence[/caption]

Protesters around the world are calling for his release[/caption]

Salehi bravely used his music to challenge the leadership of Iran, railing against the state’s corruption and crackdowns on dissent.

His anti-regime songs were used as a backdrop to the “Womem, Life, Freedom” protests that broke out across Iran after Amini was beaten to death for wearing an “improper” hijab on on September, 2022.

Earlier this week, his lawyer announced that he had been sentenced to death.

Salehi’s cousin Azadeh Babadi has now spoken out, praising Salehi’s strength.

“In a situation like this he thinks of us, his family and his fans instead of being worried for himself,” he told ITV News.

In terms of what his cousin thoughts are, Babadi said: “I think he would say it’s okay. I know what I stand for, and I’m prepared to face whatever consequences come my way.

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll stand strong until the very end.”

Babadi added that the whole family had “no hope” in the Iranian regime but begged people around the world to mount pressure on the state.

Negin Niknaam, a close friend or Salehi, said his death sentence was “baseless” and accused the regime of trying to silence him.

“Toomaj has always been the voice of the voiceless in Iran through his music. His fans refer to him as the son of Iran, the lion of Iran.”

Salehi was arrested in October 22 and charged with “spreading corruption on earth” and “waging war against God” – offences that carry a death sentence.

He had released anti-government music and urged his followers to join in the demonstrations that have continued on despite brutal repression, mass arrests and hundreds of deaths.

Following his arrest, evidence emerged that the rapper was being held in solitary confinement and tortured.

The UN officials reported his nose and fingers had been broken and his legs had been smashed up.

Women all over Iran have taken off their headscarves at demonstrations to protest what happened to Mahsa Amini

More footage of the protest today in Berlin to save Salehi[/caption]

In July 2023, Salehi was sentenced to six years and three months in prison by a court in the city of Isfahan.

In November, he was released on bail after Iran’s Supreme Court said there were flaws in the original sentencing that qualified him for amnesty.

However, he was arrested again two weeks later and his charges were later escalated.

During a trial in March, Salehi fought back against the accusations and his family said there was “no legal and justified citation” for the charges.

This week, the Isfahan court announced he would be hanged.

Salehi’s lawyer Amir Raisian called it an “unprecedented move” as it ignored the Supreme Court’s ruling.

The court accused Salehi of “assistance in sedition, assembly and collusion, propaganda against the system and calling for riots”, he added.

The court only gave Saheli’s representatives 20 days to appeal. “We will definitely appeal this verdict,” Raisan said.

Iranian officials have not yet confirmed the sentence.

In response to the death sentence, his fans are rallying around the world – under the hashtag of #saveToomaj – to call for his release.

In Iran, Salehi’s music is being played as a form of protest.

The office of the US Envoy to Iran strongly rebuked the death sentence.

In a statement, it said: “We strongly condemn Toomaj Salehi’s death sentence… We call for their immediate release.

“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.”