Tomaj Salehi's Social Media Page: His Continued Imprisonment is Due to 'Obstruction and Personal Interference' and is 'Illegal'

Tomaj Salehi's official page on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) announced that despite the annulment of the sentences issued against him in the 2022 case and his acquittal from the charges, he is still being held illegally in prison. The page also stated that more than two weeks have passed since this acquittal, but the obstruction and personal interference of some judicial officials in Isfahan province have prevented his release. According to this statement, Tomaj Salehi has spent over 253 days in solitary confinement and a total of more than one year and ten months in detention. This is while his family has provided the necessary bail and there are no detention orders against him. The official page of Tomaj Salehi further stated that officials have illegally manipulated the information in his case and created administrative obstacles to prevent his release. The statement noted that although Tomaj Salehi has been acquitted of all charges and his one-year sentence has ended, the excuses and scenarios created by some judicial officials continue. This page has warned that if serious action is not taken by the authorities, the guilty parties and the hidden hands of some extralegal institutions will soon be publicly identified. Tomaj Salehi was arrested and imprisoned on November 8, 2022, during the nationwide protests of 'Women, Life, Freedom.' He was released on bail a year later but was re-arrested a few days later on December 3, 2023. The first branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Isfahan sentenced this protesting singer to death on April 30 of this year for 'conspiracy and collusion, and complicity in rebellion.' 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 dismissal order for other charges, he will remain 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 'calling for chaos and unrest' against this critical artist has led to the continuation of his imprisonment. Human rights organizations and activists have consistently criticized the suppression of freedom of expression by the Islamic Republic. The 'Václav Havel' Center in New York awarded its annual 'Disturbing the Peace' prize jointly to Tomaj Salehi, the imprisoned protesting rapper in Iran, and Arundhati Roy, an Indian writer, on Friday, August 16. This award is given to honor courageous writers at risk who are persecuted for their beliefs and views. The Human Rights Foundation has called for the 'immediate and unconditional release' of Tomaj Salehi. The documentary 'A Gem in the Desert' was dedicated by Mary Apick to Tomaj Salehi and Shervin Hajipour during its first screening. Tomaj Salehi was acquitted of the charge of 'corruption.' Tomaj Salehi was introduced as one of the winners of the annual 'Václav Havel' Center award. Tomaj Salehi's account stated that they want him to remain in prison with 'false charges' and 'case fabrication.' Tomaj Salehi was acquitted of the charge of 'corruption on earth' but is not being released. The trial of Tomaj Salehi took place; the imprisoned rapper's lawyer stated: 'We defended and are waiting for the verdict.'