Toomaj Salehi, a prominent Iranian rapper, has been sentenced to death by a court in Isfahan, sparking international outrage. Salehi’s conviction stems from his vocal support for the 2022 anti-hijab protests that erupted following the death of Mahsa Amini, a young woman who passed away in police custody after her arrest for violating hijab rules.

Salehi has been behind bars for over a year and a half. Initially, he received a lesser sentence, but human rights advocates raised concerns about the fairness of the trial. The Iranian Supreme Court even intervened, instructing the lower court to revisit the case and address any irregularities. However, in defiance of the higher court’s authority, the Revolutionary Court in Isfahan disregarded this directive and instead issued the harshest possible punishment – death on charges of “corruption on Earth.”

Salehi’s lawyer, Amir Raisian, has vowed to appeal the sentence. The international community is also closely monitoring the situation, with many condemning the verdict and urging Iranian authorities to respect freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly. Salehi’s case has become a potent symbol of the ongoing struggle for human rights in Iran.