Acquitted of Two Charges and Sentenced to 6 Years and 3 Months in Prison for Tomaj Salehi

Tomaj Salehi's Twitter account, managed by his close associates, announced the issuance of a 6-year and 3-month prison sentence for this imprisoned artist. Tomaj Salehi, a critic of the Islamic Republic and a political prisoner, has been incarcerated since December 8 of last year. He is one of the political prisoners who, according to reports, has been tortured and faces the death penalty. Hours later, Reza Etemad Ansari, Tomaj Salehi's lawyer, stated in an interview with 'Shahrvand' that his client was sentenced to 6 years and 3 months in prison for the charge of 'corruption on earth' and was acquitted of the charges of 'insulting the founder and leader of the Islamic Republic' and 'communicating with hostile governments.' According to him, Tomaj Salehi has been transferred to the general section of the prison. The Tasnim news agency claimed on Wednesday, July 14, that 'based on heard news,' due to Tomaj Salehi's 'effective cooperation' with the case officials, the 'initial death sentence' was reduced to imprisonment. This claim was denied by Salehi's lawyers. In response to the news from the Tasnim news agency, which is close to security institutions, Reza Etemad Ansari called the claim 'utterly false' and stated that Tomaj's case has not yet been closed and has not reached the stage of issuing a verdict. In an interview with Shahrvand, Etemad Ansari emphasized that the issuance and notification of the verdict would take between one week to ten days. Tomaj Salehi's trial has been held in silence and behind closed doors in recent months, and no details about the proceedings of this imprisoned rapper's case have been reflected in the media. His arrest, torture, forced confession, and ultimately the holding of a closed trial have drawn international reactions. The U.S. State Department has repeatedly expressed deep concern over the 'harsh treatment of the regime' towards Tomaj Salehi and called for an end to this behavior by the Islamic Republic of Iran. The charges against Tomaj Salehi included 'corruption on earth,' 'collaboration with a hostile government,' 'propaganda against the regime,' and 'inciting unrest.' Meanwhile, Iqbal Iqbal, Tomaj's uncle, recently stated in an interview with Voice of America that these accusations against Tomaj Salehi are without legal basis. On Saturday, July 17, the main streets and squares of several cities around the world were scenes of gatherings and protests by Iranians in support of Tomaj Salehi, the imprisoned protest singer, and other protesters inside the country. Part of the program 'Final Page' - Tomaj Salehi is labeled 'corrupt on earth' for writing on Twitter! Group protests by Iranians in support of Tomaj Salehi and other prisoners; Paris, July 18. Part of the program 'Final Page' - The story of Tomaj Salehi's connection with hostile governments! Gathering of Iranians in Montreal, Canada, to support Tomaj Salehi. 'Protest Saturdays' in Hamburg to support Tomaj Salehi and other Iranian protesters. The second session of Tomaj Salehi's trial; widespread user reactions: 'We are the voice of Tomaj.' Protests in several cities around the world in support of Tomaj Salehi. The Iranian Writers' Association: The grave of freedom seekers will not be the grave of freedom-seeking. Claims of reducing Tomaj Salehi's 'death sentence' to 'imprisonment'; defense lawyers: utterly false. A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department: Free Tomaj Salehi and all political prisoners. A report from Tomaj Salehi's trial; the case lawyer: The court's decision will be announced in a week.