Judiciary's Claim: Tomaj is 'Regretful' and 'Deserving of Leniency'; Lawyer: Death Sentence May Change

The judiciary of the Islamic Republic claimed that "due to the expression of remorse and regret and cooperation of Tomaj Salehi," despite the death sentence issued for this protesting artist, "the court has deemed him deserving of leniency." The lawyer for this protesting artist also stated that the sentence is likely to change; because if the primary court insists on its ruling, the Supreme Court's decision will still be executed. One day after reports about the issuance of the death sentence for Tomaj Salehi, Iranian state news agencies reported on Thursday, April 25, that the media center of the judiciary announced that "in the case of a possible appeal" and "if the death sentence is confirmed by the Supreme Court, the issue of leniency for this protest rapper will be reviewed by the Commission of Amnesty and Clemency." According to the judiciary's announcement, if the appeal is accepted, "the pardon with a reduction of punishment and through all legal processes, Tomaj Salehi's sentence will be converted to a long-term imprisonment with one degree of reduction" and "additional punishments" against him will be "executed." The announcement also stated that "other charges" against Tomaj Salehi are "under judicial review." Amir Raisian, one of Tomaj Salehi's lawyers, also told the website "Rooidad 24" that it is "highly likely that the sentence will change." He stated that this political prisoner is aware of his sentence, but "he is fine and not worried," emphasizing that "even if the primary court insists on its ruling, the Supreme Court's ruling will still be executed, as this institution is the authoritative body in issuing the ruling." This lawyer had previously stated that his client was convicted of six out of eight charges related to the November 2022 arrest and was acquitted of two charges of "collaboration with an enemy government" and "insulting the leadership." Ye Wanri, a member of the German parliament and political sponsor of Tomaj Salehi, on Wednesday, April 24, following reports about the issuance of the death sentence for this protesting artist, stated that "it is still not entirely clear how this ruling was issued," noting that Tomaj Salehi "was sentenced to six years in prison last year on the same charges and was subsequently released on bail." In the latest reactions to the issuance of the death sentence for Tomaj Salehi, Fatemeh Sepahri and Mohammad Hossein Sepahri, two political prisoners and signatories of the "14 Statement" for the transition from the Islamic Republic and the resignation of its leader Ali Khamenei, condemned the issuance of this ruling in a message from Vakilabad prison in Mashhad during a call with their family. The wave of protests against the issuance of the death sentence for this protesting artist continues both inside and outside Iran and on social media. As a photographic report received by VOA shows, citizens have hung a banner with his image on Modarres Highway in Tehran in support of Tomaj Salehi. Additionally, a number of Iranians residing in Germany have gathered in front of the German Foreign Ministry in support of Tomaj Salehi. Previously, Vedant Patel, Deputy Spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, condemned the ruling against Tomaj Salehi, calling it "another example of the horrific and widespread violation of human rights by the regime in Iran." Mustafa Nili and Amir Raisian, lawyers for Tomaj Salehi, reported on Wednesday that the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Isfahan had issued a death sentence for this protesting rapper. According to the lawyers of this protesting artist, who is currently in Dastgerd prison in Isfahan, "Branch One of the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan, in an unprecedented action, did not implement the Supreme Court's ruling regarding Tomaj Salehi's 2022 case and, calling this ruling 'advisory' and emphasizing the independence of the primary court, sentenced Tomaj Salehi to the harshest punishment, namely death, for the charge of corruption on earth." Tomaj Salehi has rejected the charges against him and deemed this court "illegal," stating that his trial was conducted "not according to the law, but at the request of intelligence agencies." Following the announcement of the issuance of the "death sentence" for Tomaj Salehi, a widespread wave of protests has erupted both inside and outside of Iran.