Reactions to the Sentencing of Tomaj Salehi: He Committed No Crime and Should Be Released

Following the announcement of a six-year and three-month prison sentence for Tomaj Salehi, the protesting rapper, on charges of "corruption on earth," social media users have labeled this ruling as "inhumane" and "illegal," demanding his unconditional release. Tomaj Salehi, a political prisoner and protest singer, has been incarcerated since November 29, 2022, and there have been previous reports about his torture and the potential issuance of a death sentence against him. Rosa Etemad Ansari, Tomaj Salehi's lawyer, stated on Monday, July 10, to "Shahrvand" that her client was sentenced to six years and three months in prison for "corruption on earth" and was acquitted of charges of "insulting the founder and leader of the Islamic Republic" as well as "communicating with hostile governments." Tomaj Salehi's lawyer mentioned that he was transferred to the general ward after the ruling was issued. Several cultural and political figures, as well as social media users, have reacted to this ruling. Mehdi Yarahee, a well-known singer, tweeted that the "brutal arrest of Tomaj Salehi" and the announcement of his six-year and three-month prison sentence were "entirely inhumane and extremely illegal." Afrasiab, a friend and colleague of Tomaj Salehi, emphasized that he "committed no crime and should be freed." Hossein Ronaghi, a civil activist and former political prisoner, called the issuance of this sentence, along with a "two-year ban on singing" for Tomaj Salehi, "shameful," stating that individuals like him are "assets of Iran" and should be appreciated for their patriotism and concern for the Iranian people, rather than being imprisoned. Amir Bilqab, a rap musician, reacted to the sentencing in Arabic, stating: "Unconditional freedom is the only option we accept." Reza Mazaheri, a political activist, shared a video of Tomaj Salehi's protest, asserting that the issuance of this ruling was because he "came to the streets and shouted: We do not want spectators, join us." He added: "I wish we would not be spectators anymore, as death, imprisonment, torture, and blindness are not just for others." Tomaj Salehi's trial has been held in silence and non-publicly over the past months, with no details released about the proceedings of his case. The Tasnim News Agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, claimed on Wednesday, July 5, that due to Tomaj Salehi's "effective cooperation" with the case officials, the "initial death sentence" was reduced to imprisonment. This claim was rejected by Tomaj Salehi's lawyers and sparked widespread reactions. The arrest, torture, forced confessions, and holding of a non-public trial for Tomaj Salehi have drawn international reactions. Among them, 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 hostile governments," "propaganda against the regime," and "inciting unrest." Iqbal Iqbal, Tomaj Salehi's uncle, previously stated in an interview with Voice of America that the charges of "corruption on earth, collaboration with hostile governments, propaganda against the regime, and inciting unrest" against this protesting rapper were baseless and without legal grounds.