Iranian Rapper Toomaj Salehi Violently Assaulted By Police

Iranian dissident rapper Toomaj Salehi was violently assaulted during his arrest two weeks ago, it has been revealed.

Witnesses have reported that on Salehi's arrival in prison, his eyes and face were bruised and swollen, and his arms had also sustained injuries.

Salehi, 33, was arrested on November 30, just under two weeks after being released on bail following a year in custody for his involvement in supporting the nationwide protests last year.

He was snatched off the street in Babol by security officers in plainclothes.

They are alleged to have assaulted him with the butts of their pistols and AK-47 rifles.

Salehi’s recent arrest was on charges of "disseminating falsehoods and inciting public opinion.", according to Mizan online, a website associated with Iran's Judiciary,

The singer rose to prominence for his protest songs addressing social issues and government injustices in Iran.

He had originally been arrested November 2022, as part of a broader crackdown on political dissent following the death of Mahsa Amini in morality police custody.

Salehi was held in jail for a year, including 252 days in solitary confinement.

Activist inside Iran and abroad have been actively campaigning for his release, with a number of figures in Western nations championinh his cause.

In October, Salehi received the 2023 Arts Freedom of Expression Award from Index on Censorship, an organization dedicated to advocating for freedom of expression.