Tomaj Salehi's Social Media Page: Judicial Authorities Must End His Silent Torture

Tomaj Salehi's official page on the social media platform "X" emphasized on Saturday, September 8, the "urgent and immediate need" for this imprisoned rapper, a critic of the Islamic Republic, to receive "medical attention" and called for an end to his "silent torture" by judicial authorities. According to this page, "It has been nearly two years since Tomaj Salehi's leg was broken under the brutal torture of the intelligence agents of Isfahan province" following his arrest on November 29, 2022, which, alongside "eye injuries and broken fingers," has led to improper healing with bone deformities in his leg and fingers due to the negligence of the security and judicial apparatus during solitary confinement and lack of timely medical care. The report states that despite initial examinations during his initial detention emphasizing the necessity for immediate surgery on his leg, and specifically mentioning that any delay would result in permanent disability, judicial officials in Isfahan refrained from any medical care or action for one month and 21 days. The report continues: After that, no complete treatment or medical leave for medical attention was allowed, even at personal expense. Tomaj Salehi's official page on "X" noted that after his temporary release in November of last year, his medical treatment and care began immediately, but one day before his scheduled surgery for his injured leg, he was violently abducted again, preventing this vital surgery from taking place to this day. The report indicates that currently, there is no detention order in Tomaj Salehi's case, and all necessary bail has been provided by his family, yet the judicial authorities of the Islamic Republic refuse to release him. This imprisoned rapper has spent over 253 days in solitary confinement and a total of more than one year and ten months in detention. According to Tomaj Salehi's official page on "X", their only excuse is the one-year prison sentence against him, which means he has been in prison for about two years, including the time before the sentence was issued. The report states that it is necessary to end the "silent torture" of Tomaj Salehi as soon as possible so that necessary actions can be taken to pursue and continue the treatment and surgery of his injured leg. Tomaj Salehi was arrested during the nationwide protests of "Women, Life, Freedom" on November 29, 2022. He was released on bail a year later but was re-arrested just 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 18 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 non-prosecution order for his other charges, he remains in prison due to the formation of a new case against him. According to Amir Raisian, 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 prize titled "Disturbing the Peace" jointly to Tomaj Salehi, the imprisoned protesting rapper in Iran, and Arundhati Roy, an Indian writer, on Friday, August 17. This award is given to honor courageous writers at risk who are persecuted for their beliefs and views. Tomaj Salehi's social media page states that his continued imprisonment is due to "obstruction and personal interventions" and is "illegal." The Human Rights Foundation has called for the "immediate and unconditional release" of Tomaj Salehi. The documentary "A Gem in the Desert" was screened; Mary Apick dedicated the first showing of the film to Tomaj Salehi and Shervin Hajipour. Tomaj Salehi was acquitted of the charge of corruption. Tomaj Salehi was introduced as one of the winners of the annual award from the "Václav Havel" Center. Tomaj Salehi's account states that they want him to remain in prison with "baseless accusations" and "case fabrication." Vafa Ahmadpour and Daniel Moghaddam, protesting rappers, were sentenced to imprisonment, a ban on leaving the country, and a prohibition on activities in cyberspace.