Reactions to the Death Sentence Issued for Tomaj Salehi: Anger, Protests, and Solidarity to Save the Protest Rapper

The news of the death sentence issued for Tomaj Salehi, a imprisoned protest rapper in Iran, has received widespread attention on social media, accompanied by protests from many Iranian users who criticized the Islamic Republic. The United States condemned the death sentence against Tomaj Salehi, calling it "another example of the horrific and pervasive human rights violations by the regime in Iran." Eghbal Eghbali, Tomaj Salehi's uncle, confirmed the issuance of the death sentence for this protesting artist in an interview with VOA on Wednesday, May 5. Amir Reisiian, one of Tomaj Salehi's lawyers, told the newspaper "Shargh" that the court issued the death sentence for this young rapper based on the accusation of "corruption on earth." In this context, Prince Reza Pahlavi reacted to the death sentence for Tomaj Salehi on his social media account, writing that the Islamic Republic "has been at odds with artists, especially those who use their talent to defend the freedom of Iran, since its inception." He called on "the global community, especially artists around the world" to "be the voice of Tomaj and work for the immediate cancellation of this shameful sentence and his unconditional freedom from prison." Shirin Ebadi, a human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, also wrote on her Telegram account: "The regime of murder and crime is determined to kill the son of Iran, Tomaj Salehi, a committed and popular artist. The revolutionary court of the Islamic Republic intends to kill someone who sees standing with the people and reflecting their voices of protest as his mission." She added: "Tomaj Salehi has been subjected to various tortures during his detention and has been severely harmed, but he has never turned his back on his ideals. His death sentence, which is a warning to all honorable and concerned individuals, will lead to an even greater inflaming of the people's anger." Hamed Ismailioun also stated on social media that "execution, killing, and violence are the last tools of the Islamic Republic," describing it as a regime that has come to "kill hope; a regime that wants to instill incapacity in the people, unaware that it has already lost to the people's anger." Mr. Ismailioun emphasized that the government "is very afraid of the people's anger," writing: "Dear Tomaj is a symbol of the heroic struggle of the Iranian people. He is not alone, and the Islamic government will also surrender before him." Abi, a singer, wrote on his Instagram account: "Everything in the Islamic government is inhumane and contrary to reason and fairness. Where in the world is a freedom-loving artist, who sings of equality and humanity, sentenced to death? A first-instance court judge disregards the Supreme Court's ruling?" He added: "These events only happen in a lawless government with savage rulers." Nazanin Afshin-Jam, a human rights activist and former Miss Canada, said on social media: "Rap artists around the world must shout in solidarity with Tomaj Salehi." She added: "PEN associations and groups that promote freedom of expression and work against the death penalty, and all individuals who believe in the sanctity of life and the rule of law, must pressure their governments to put pressure on the regime to stop this death sentence." Masih Alinejad, a human rights activist, journalist, and host of the "Tablet" program on VOA Persian, emphasized on social media that "the brutal death sentence for Tomaj Salehi requires unwavering solidarity to save his life." She wrote: "This reflects the brutality of the Islamic Republic, which has ruthlessly executed dozens of unarmed protesters who gathered against the horrific murder of Mahsa Amini. Now Tomaj has faced the same fate. We ask you to listen to his music and amplify the voices of these brave prisoners. His voice must not be silenced." Vahid, a singer, also described the death sentence for Tomaj Salehi as "shocking" in a social media post. He noted that Tomaj Salehi has fulfilled his true mission as a rapper and called on the Persian rap community to unite and protest against Tomaj Salehi's death sentence. Mehdi Yarahee, another singer, described the issuance of the death sentence for Tomaj Salehi as "so baseless it resembles dark comedy." He added: "Free my brother unconditionally, for the smoke of this fire will burn your eyes." Nazila Maroufian, a journalist, wrote on social media: "I can't even write the sentence they gave to Tomaj." Referring to Tomaj Salehi's reminder that "the judiciary operates under extrajudicial institutions and in line with their projects," she added: "What Tomaj previously stated is the truth; the court's eyes are with the mouth of the interrogator and the security institution, not reality." Hossein Ronaghi, a civil activist, also wrote on social media: "Today, tonight, and until Tomaj's freedom, we shout the name 'Tomaj Salehi' in unison." Mahnaz Afshar, an actress, wrote on her Instagram account: "Free the freedom seekers and stop further staining your hands with the blood of innocent people. In which code and fair law is the response to your critics and opponents and your injustices execution? Where in the world is the ruler an enemy of his own people?" Hanieh Tosoli, another actress, wrote on Instagram: "The news is horrifying; my whole body shakes. My heart beats so fast it feels like it wants to jump out of my chest. I cry and can't help it. I'm stunned; it's dark and the house is dark, and I'm still stunned." She added: "Tomaj Salehi is a young Iranian. He is a singer. He is a young protest singer. Protesting is not a crime. Being young is not a crime. Being a singer is not a crime. Do you really think the conditions we live in have no room for protest?" The "Progressive Students" organization also issued a statement condemning the death sentence for Tomaj Salehi, stating that "the Islamic Republic, simultaneously with its recent attack on women and its attempt to reclaim the captured stronghold of hijab by the people, has issued a death sentence for Tomaj, thinking that it can push us and our revolution back and intimidate the boiling and protesting society of Iran." This student organization described Tomaj Salehi as "the voice of the revolution of woman, life, freedom, and the most deprived and marginalized sections of Iranian society against the Islamic Republic," adding: "With widespread and extensive protests, we must not allow the executionist government to even dare to issue such sentences and carry out such actions." The Left Party of Iran also stated in a statement that the Islamic Republic "is a government that has long openly declared war on the people of Iran," writing: "As the dimensions of the government's crisis and incapacity become more apparent, the blade of repression sharpens, and the people are increasingly under its blade." This party's statement noted that "the anger and hatred of the repressive organs are more directed at women and the youth of the country, who have borne the greatest burden of the struggle against the ruling reactionaries," and called on all political currents and human rights organizations to "raise their voices of protest against this injustice to the people of Iran and the world." The United States condemned the death sentence against Tomaj Salehi, with Vedant Patel, Deputy Spokesperson for the State Department, stating on Wednesday that the death sentence against Tomaj Salehi is "another example of the horrific and pervasive human rights violations by the regime in Iran." He referred to Tomaj Salehi as someone who "has previously faced torture and other violent treatment and detention," and stated that the U.S. condemns the "Iranian regime's use of the death penalty as a tool to suppress human rights and the fundamental freedoms of the people." Vedant Patel, in response to a question from Gita Aryan, a journalist for VOA Persian, about possible U.S. actions on the global stage to prevent the execution of this sentence, stated that there are various tools to pressure the Islamic Republic to address "serious and egregious human rights violations." On the other hand, Helmut Brandstätter, Tomaj Salehi's sponsor and a member of the Austrian Parliament, expressed on social media that he was "shocked" by the issuance of the death sentence for him, stating that he cannot do anything other than draw attention to his situation and requests such as placing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on the terrorist list, but the Austrian Foreign Minister can do more. This Austrian parliament member referred to "delivering this message to the Iranian ambassador in Austria" that Vienna "will not tolerate human rights violations in this manner in Iran," adding: "I urge everyone to do whatever they can, such as activism in the media and social media, to support Tomaj and all other political prisoners." Previously, Ye Wanri, a member of the German Parliament and Tomaj Salehi's political sponsor, described this sentence as "absurd and inhumane" in a statement, declaring that such a sentence "has no basis in the rule of law" and is "unacceptable." Tomaj Salehi, the protest rapper, is currently in Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan. The hearing for Tomaj Salehi's charges related to his 1401 case was held on April 30 in the first branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Isfahan, with the addition of two charges of "conspiracy and collusion, and complicity in rebellion." Tomaj Salehi, rejecting the charges and deeming this court "illegal," stated that his trial was conducted "not based on the law, but at the request of intelligence agencies."