Toumaj Salehi's Account: Reiteration of Previous Charges is Illegal

Toumaj Salehi's account on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) stated that the reintroduction of previous charges against this imprisoned rapper, from which he has been acquitted, is 'illegal' and stems from the 'emptiness of the case-makers' hands.' The post, managed by Salehi's relatives, noted: 'After a year of futile attempts to impose false charges, now in another illegal act, they have returned the acquitted charges to the case.' Amir Reisiyaan, Salehi's lawyer, recently announced that a new indictment against his client is set to be issued by the Isfahan Revolutionary Court with '10 charges,' including eight from the previous case and two new ones. In a part of the message published on Salehi's account on Thursday, January 25, the goal of the 'case-makers' was mentioned as prolonging Salehi's imprisonment and 'securing the satisfaction of some without any legal and substantiated evidence.' According to Salehi's lawyer, his client was convicted on six charges out of eight in the case related to his arrest in November 2022, while he was acquitted of two charges: 'collaboration with an enemy government' and 'insulting the leadership.' Amir Reisiyaan identified the two new charges against Toumaj Salehi as 'aiding in rebellion (armed and collective uprising against the regime)' and 'conspiracy and collusion to commit crimes against security,' adding that: 'In the case, there is no other accused person who could even be considered an accomplice, let alone a group, and secondly, not even a kitchen knife has been discovered from Toumaj, let alone a weapon!!' Salehi's account described the new charges against this protesting rapper as 'the result of the delusional scenarios of interrogators' and emphasized that 'none of them have any rational proportion with the activities of a popular artist whose concern is being the voice of the oppressed and child laborers.' The note continued: 'The continuation of Toumaj Salehi's imprisonment, despite receiving bail, has no legal justification. Toumaj must be released immediately to continue his treatment.' Meanwhile, Yi-Wan Ri, a member of the German Parliament and political sponsor of Toumaj Salehi, expressed concern over the continued imprisonment and case-making against him in an interview with Voice of America, calling for ongoing public support for him. Yi-Wan Ri emphasized that the 'Islamic Republic regime' remains fearful of Toumaj Salehi's popularity.