Jailed Iranian Rapper Toomaj Salehi's Health Deteriorates

Toomaj Salehi, the Iranian rapper jailed for his protest music, is facing deteriorating health conditions and is in urgent need of medical attention.

Salehi's official account reported on Tuesday that he has sustained injuries from torture during his time in detention, including severe swelling and bleeding in his eyes, a fractured tooth, and injured fingers.

The message further stated, "Now that his legal trial has concluded, he finds himself unjustly incarcerated, enduring days behind bars under intense pressure and control without basic prisoner rights. It is crucial to take swift action to secure his medical release and transfer to a hospital to address his urgent medical needs. Delays in addressing this critical matter must be avoided."

In July, Salehi dodged a death sentence and was instead sentenced to over six years in prison. He was convicted of offenses related to "corruption on earth," which includes violations of religious morality.

Following the tragic death of Mahsa Amini in police custody in September, Salehi was among the young Iranians who took to the streets to protest.

The security forces' crackdown on the protest movement led to the loss of almost 600 lives and the unlawful detention of nearly 20,000 individuals, according to activists. After sham trials, the judiciary imposed harsh sentences on protesters, including the death penalty.

Salehi, 33, is primarily known for his protest songs addressing social issues and government injustices in Iran. He was arrested on October 30th as part of a broader crackdown on opposition figures in response to mass uprisings across the country.