Iranian Rapper Faces New Charges

Dissident rapper Toomaj Salehi is facing fresh charges according to his lawyer, as the government battles to silence anti-regime voices.

Amir Raisian disclosed that Salehi is now accused of "rebellion," indicating an "armed uprising against the system," and of "conspiracy and collusion to commit crimes against security."

Under the Islamic Penal Code, engaging in an "armed uprising against the system" can result in the death penalty.

Raisian said the indictment is at odds with the Supreme Court's recent emphasis on Salehi's eligibility for pardon, explaining that “charges for which Salehi had previously received acquittal judgments” have been reinstated in the renewed indictment.

Salehi was recently imprisoned for one year and 21 days behind bars, 252 days of those in solitary confinement. He was released on bail on November 18th, only to be detained again a mere 12 days later after releasing a video detailing the torture he endured in prison.

In the video, Salehi accused prison authorities and government-affiliated media of wrongdoing, leading to a formal complaint. Raisian condemned the re-arrest, labeling it "against the law" and asserting that Salehi did not fabricate the claims made in the video.

Salehi rose to fame in recent years for his socially conscious rap songs and became a prominent supporter of the Women, Life, Freedom protests. His initial arrest occurred in November 2022 in the village of Gerdbisheh, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, following a period of living in hiding.