Iran’s Supreme Court Overturns Death Sentence of Rapper Toomaj Salehi

Iran’s Supreme Court has overturned the death sentence of popular rapper Toomaj Salehi, who was imprisoned for supporting nationwide protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini. Salehi’s lawyer, Amir Raisian, announced the court's decision on social media, stating that the Islamic Republic's top court had ordered a retrial.

In April, an Iranian court had sentenced Salehi to death for the capital offense of "corruption on earth." Raisian revealed at the time that his client was also found guilty of "assistance in sedition, assembly and collusion, propaganda against the state, and calling for riots."

Why This Matters: Salehi, 33, was arrested in October 2022 after publicly supporting demonstrations that erupted a month earlier. These protests were triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian Kurd who had been detained by Tehran's morality police for allegedly breaching the Islamic Republic's strict dress code for women.

"The Supreme Court prevented an irreparable judicial error," Raisian said, emphasizing the significance of the court's decision.

The protests sparked by Amini's death saw hundreds of people killed, including dozens of security personnel. Thousands were arrested as authorities moved to quell the unrest, which they branded as foreign-instigated "riots." Nine men have been executed in protest-related cases involving killings and other violence against security forces.

Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, covering the neck and head has been compulsory for women in Iran. Despite the strict dress code, women have increasingly flouted these rules following the protests. In response, Iranian police have recently intensified controls on women who ignore the dress code.

The Supreme Court's decision to overturn Toomaj Salehi's death sentence and order a retrial marks a significant development in the rapper's case. The move highlights ongoing tensions and legal challenges in Iran following the widespread protests sparked by Mahsa Amini's death. As the country continues to grapple with issues of judicial fairness and human rights, the retrial will be closely watched both domestically and internationally.

Key Takeaways:

• Iran's Supreme Court orders retrial for rapper Toomaj Salehi.
• Salehi was accused of "corruption on earth" and other offenses.
• Salehi was arrested in October 2022 after backing protests.
• Mahsa Amini's death led to months-long protests with significant casualties.
• Post-protest crackdown on women's dress code violations intensifies.