US Monitoring Tomaj Salehi's 'Secret' Trial: His Situation is Being 'Carefully' Observed

The US Department of State, referring to the closed trial of Tomaj Salehi, a rapper, and his lack of access to a lawyer, announced that it is 'carefully' monitoring the situation of this imprisoned protester. On Saturday, July 3rd, the department expressed deep concern over the 'harsh treatment by the regime towards Tomaj' and called for an end to it, recalling previous reports about Salehi's 'torture' during detention and 'his need for immediate medical care.' The human rights news agency HRANA recently reported on Tomaj Salehi's injuries resulting from beatings during his detention and the lack of medical attention. Tomaj Salehi, who was arrested last November during nationwide protests and deprived of access to his chosen lawyer for two months, faces charges including 'corruption on earth,' 'propaganda against the regime,' and 'inciting people to murder and unrest.' The US State Department described the situation of this imprisoned protester as 'the latest example of the regime's ongoing repression aimed at silencing and intimidating dissenters' and called on Iranian officials to 'release Tomaj Salehi and all political prisoners.' Salehi's political sponsors recently announced that his trial would be held behind closed doors on Sunday, June 18th. Representatives from the parliaments of Germany, Austria, and Italy, who are among Salehi's political sponsors, noted in a joint statement that this closed trial was held 'without official announcement' and 'without media coverage.' The US State Department warned about the continued 'violent repression of peaceful protesters' by 'Iran's leadership' and emphasized that 'the world is watching.' The department stated: 'The United States will continue to work with its allies and partners to hold Iranian officials accountable for human rights.'