Toumaj Salehi Reports New Case Against Him by Judiciary

Toumaj Salehi, the protesting rapper and a prominent supporter of the 'Women, Life, Freedom' movement, announced that he must return to court to address a new case opened against him by the judiciary. On Saturday, February 20, he revealed in a video posted on his personal YouTube account that he must appear in court on February 30 for the release of a song titled 'Typhus,' which was first published last Esfand. According to this Iranian protest rapper, who gained global fame during the 'Women, Life, Freedom' protests in 1401, the judiciary has opened a case against him while this new song is a critical piece, or diss track, against several other rappers. In his video, he explains that 'Typhus' relates 'to a few rappers,' and thus the new case would only hold validity if these artists personally filed complaints against him. Salehi also states, 'This court can be an excuse for me to say again: No one should be arrested for their beliefs and expressing their beliefs.' During the widespread protests of 1401, which began with the death of Mahsa Zhina Amini in the custody of the morality police, Salehi was actively involved and supported all protesters, detainees, and political activists. This imprisoned rapper was released on bail on November 27, 1402, after enduring 252 days of solitary confinement and a total of one year and 21 days in prison, but just 12 days later, after releasing a video detailing his torture in prison, he was re-arrested with 'beating.' The news of the death penalty issued for this protesting singer by the revolutionary court sparked a global outcry against this verdict, prompting human rights organizations and Western governments to call for the annulment of this sentence and the release of Toumaj Salehi. Ultimately, Salehi was freed from prison in mid-December of this year. Toumaj Salehi topped the list of influential music figures in 2025.