U.S. Congressman Calls for Medical Attention and Release of Tomaj Salehi

Brad Sherman, a Democratic representative in the U.S. House of Representatives, criticized the lack of medical care for Tomaj Salehi and called for the release of this imprisoned rapper and all political prisoners "under violence" in the prisons of the Islamic Republic. In a post on the social media platform "X," this U.S. Congressman wrote: "Tomaj Salehi, who has been tortured by the Islamic Republic for his support of Iran's Freedom and the 'Women, Life, Freedom' movement, has been deprived of medical care and is at risk of permanent disability." He emphasized that "Tomaj and all Iranian political prisoners under the violence of this regime must be freed." This imprisoned rapper has spent over 253 days in solitary confinement and a total of more than one year and ten months in detention. Tomaj Salehi's official page on the social media platform "X" stated on September 8 that this imprisoned critic of the government has an "urgent and immediate need" for "medical attention" and called for an end to his "silent torture" by judicial authorities. Yevan Rey, a member of the German Parliament and political guardian of Tomaj Salehi, also stressed the "urgent need" for this imprisoned protester to receive medical services, noting that he is at risk of permanent effects from the severe injuries caused by torture. Yevan Rey wrote on the social media platform "X" that "Tomaj needs immediate medical services. He continues to suffer from severe injuries resulting from torture and is at risk of permanent effects. Since the sentences issued against him were violated months ago, there is no justifiable reason for his continued imprisonment. Free Tomaj and provide him with the necessary medical services." According to information published on Tomaj Salehi's official page, he suffered a "broken leg," "eye injury," and "broken fingers" due to the "brutal torture of intelligence agents in Isfahan Province" in November 2022, and these injuries, due to the negligence of the security and judicial apparatus and the lack of timely medical care, have led to improper healing accompanied by bone deformities in his leg and fingers. Tomaj Salehi was arrested and imprisoned on November 8, 2022, during the nationwide "Women, Life, Freedom" protests. He was released on bail a year later but was arrested again a few days later on December 3, 2023. The first branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Isfahan tried this protesting singer on April 18 of this year on charges of "conspiracy and collusion, and complicity in rebellion" and sentenced him to death. 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 other charges, he remains 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 allegations of "insulting sacred values" and "inciting chaos and unrest" against this government critic has led to his continued imprisonment. Human rights organizations and activists have consistently criticized the suppression of freedom of expression and the security and judicial actions against protesters and dissenters in Iran. Tomaj Salehi's social media page: Judicial authorities must end his silent torture. A request from 26 human rights organizations to the international community: Prevent the execution of Pakhshan Aziz. Amnesty International: The trial of Sharifeh Mohammadi was "severely unfair"; the death sentence must be revoked. The enforced disappearance of the bodies of executed political prisoners; a human rights organization: The Islamic Republic must be held accountable.