Human Rights Organizations Demand Immediate Release of Tomaj Salehi Concurrent with Behzadi's Presence at the UN

As Masoud Behzadi, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, attends the United Nations, three human rights organizations have called for the "immediate and unconditional release" of Tomaj Salehi, a imprisoned rapper. Tomaj Salehi's family, along with the international legal team "Doughty Street Chambers", the organization "Index on Censorship", and the "Human Rights Foundation", made this request on Tuesday, October 3rd, ahead of Behzadi's speech at the UN General Assembly. In a joint statement published on the websites of the two human rights organizations, quoting Negin Niknam, a friend of Tomaj Salehi and manager of his social media pages, it is stated: "Despite the lack of an arrest warrant and the urgent need for medical services to prevent permanent disability due to injuries sustained from torture during detention, which is prohibited under Article 38 of the Iranian Constitution, Tomaj is being illegally held in Dashtgerd prison." Negin Niknam further urged UN members to raise these concerns urgently, reminding them of the legal obligations of Iranian officials and demanding Behzadi's full commitment to the immediate release of Tomaj before his speech at the UN General Assembly in New York. Masoud Behzadi is scheduled to deliver a speech at the UN General Assembly this afternoon, October 3rd. In the joint statement from "Doughty Street Chambers", "Index on Censorship", and the "Human Rights Foundation", Arzou Iqbali Babadi, Tomaj's cousin, stated: "The solidarity and support of the international community have played a crucial role in ensuring the suspension of my cousin's death sentence. Now, the international community must pressure the Iranian President for Tomaj's release before it is too late." These three human rights organizations have previously submitted urgent complaints and requests to the UN for the immediate and unconditional release of Tomaj Salehi, a government-critical rapper. Tomaj Salehi's social media page reported on Monday, October 2nd, about his "indefinite detention after nearly 300 days of unjust imprisonment." This page recalled the issuance of a one-year prison sentence for Tomaj Salehi in a "sham trial" on December 24, 2023, stating: "According to these half-hearted laws, now that this case is under review, Tomaj should be released on bail, but obstruction and interference from security forces prevent his release." Recently, Democrat Congressman Brad Sherman criticized the lack of medical attention for Tomaj Salehi, calling for the release of this imprisoned rapper and all political prisoners "under violence" in Iranian prisons. Tomaj Salehi was arrested on October 30, 2022, during the nationwide protests of "Women, Life, Freedom" and sent to prison. He was released on bail a year later but was re-arrested after 12 days in December 2023. The first branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Isfahan sentenced this protesting singer to death for "conspiracy and collusion, and aiding in rebellion" on April 30 of this year. This sentence was later overturned by the Supreme Court. Tomaj Salehi's lawyer recently announced that despite the acquittal of this protesting artist from the charge of "corruption on earth" and the issuance of a non-prosecution order for other charges, he remains in prison due to the formation of a new case. According to Amir Reysian, the formation of a new case regarding one of Tomaj Salehi's songs and the charges of "insulting the sacred" and "inciting chaos and unrest" against this government-critical artist have led to the continuation of his imprisonment. Human rights organizations and activists have consistently criticized the suppression of freedom of expression and the security and judicial actions against protesters and dissenters in Iran. Details of the obstruction and continued imprisonment of Tomaj Salehi were shared by Negin Niknam, a close associate of this protesting singer. The American Congressman called for medical attention for Tomaj Salehi and his release. Tomaj Salehi's social media page urged judicial authorities to end his silent torture. The continuation of his imprisonment is attributed to "obstruction and personal interference" and is deemed "illegal."