Inspired rally to halt execution of renowned Iranian hip-hop artist Toomaj Salehi
This weekend, Inspired joined the protests against the death sentence imposed on the rapper Toomaj Salehi by a court in Iran. We wore masks of Toomaj Salehi's face and carried signs reading "death sentence for rapping" after an Iranian court sentenced the rapper to death for his involvement in women's rights protests.
His lawyer confirmed that an execution order was issued after he endured solitary confinement and torture. The court’s decision to uphold the original verdict of “corruption on earth” sealed his fate. This charge encompasses a broad range of offences, including those related to Islamic morality, and can carry the ultimate penalty.
In 2022, Toomaj was at the forefront of weeks-long protests that swept Iran following the suspicious death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in police custody. The authorities responded with a brutal crackdown on dissent. Toomaj’s involvement in these demonstrations led to his arrest, detention, and alleged torture. His music became a rallying cry for those demanding accountability and change.