Violation of Ruling at the Supreme Court; Tomaj Salehi Released on Bail

Tomaj Salehi, a protest rap singer opposed to the Islamic Republic who was arrested during last year's nationwide protests, was released from Dashtgerd prison in Isfahan on Saturday, November 18, after posting bail. Salehi's lawyer confirmed his client's release in an interview with 'Shargh Network,' stating: 'Following the appeal filed in Tomaj Salehi's case, this case was reviewed in Branch 39 of the Supreme Court, and ultimately, considering the multiple objections raised against the initial ruling, some of these objections were accepted by the Supreme Court, and after the ruling was annulled, this case was returned to Branch 1 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court.' Amir Raeisian added: 'The Supreme Court also deemed Tomaj Salehi eligible for the announced amnesty and stated that he could benefit from the declared amnesty.' This attorney clarified that although Tomaj is subject to the announced amnesty and should have had his case dismissed without bail, due to the objections raised by Branch 39 of the Supreme Court that need to be resolved, Branch 1 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court decided to temporarily convert Tomaj Salehi's detention order to bail. Yavon Rey, a member of the Akhond Parliament and Salehi's political sponsor, expressed his happiness over Salehi's release in a statement: 'I am very glad about Tomaj Salehi's release, but we must be cautious. Bail is not real freedom. As long as the Islamic Republic does not drop all charges against him, we will not cease our struggle for him.' He also referred to the torture and mistreatment that Salehi endured in prison, stating: 'We will not forget that he was wrongfully arrested and tortured in solitary confinement for about 10 months. His injuries were not treated medically. Furthermore, his release should not lead us to forget all the other innocent prisoners. Tomaj Salehi's release is not a day for celebration; it is a reminder of all those who were imprisoned and killed without reason.' Tomaj Salehi was sentenced to six years and three months in prison, a travel ban, prohibition from producing music, and two years of mandatory attendance in behavior management and skill courses by Branch 1 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court in July of this year. He was arrested by government forces in early November 2022 in connection with the nationwide protests. Tomaj Salehi is a protest rap singer and a resident of Shahinshahr in Isfahan province, who was previously sentenced to six months in prison and a fine for charges of 'insulting the leadership and propaganda against the regime' in a prior case in 2021. Salehi's uncle stated: 'The crimes of Hamas in Israel have been repeated by the government in Iran for 44 years.' HRANA reported that Tomaj Salehi remains deprived of phone calls, in-person visits, and medical services. Sadegh Ghasemi, a rap singer, was arrested in Ahvaz. Nasrin Sotoudeh called for the immediate release of Tomaj Salehi and all political prisoners. Tomaj Salehi, the imprisoned singer, won the award from the organization defending freedom of expression. The reactions of artists to the job deprivation of several actors opposing compulsory hijab continue.