Free at Last! Rapper Activist Toomaj Salehi Released from Prison

After spending 753 days in Isfahan's Dastgerd Prison, rapper and activist Toomaj Salehi is finally free. Or at least released. The 32 year old rapper was first imprisoned on October 22, 2022 for his role is supporting the Woman, Life, Freedom Protests that followed Mahsa Amini's death. Amini was arrested and beaten to death for failing to wear her hijab (mandatory hair covering) properly and her passing sparked national protests resulting in a feminist movement calling for government reform: Woman, Life, Freedom.

Toomaj, a metalworker turned rapper for social reform, had been a voice of change for Iranians long before his arrest. He used his lyrics and social media posts to spread anti-government messages (a highly illegal activity). After Amini's death, Toomaj released a song called "Faal" (Omen) which martyrized Amini by saying, "Someone’s crime was dancing with her hair in the wind, someone’s crime was that he or she was brave and outspoken". Toomaj was jailed for spreading these messages.

He was released from prison last year, but his freedom was shortlived. Toomaj posted a video exposing the horrors and torture he faced in prison and solitary confinement. He was jailed again for "spreading lies". A lower court in Isfahan attempted to impose the death penalty on Toomaj last April. Fortunately, the Supreme Court of Iran overturned the sentence. Now, a whole year later, he has been released again and Iranians are rejoicing. Toomaj serves as an inspiration to all Iranians facing oppression today. While he is free now, he is under constant watch and his Iranian followers are determined to do all they can to keep him safe.

You can listen to Toomaj's music here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5mBmrpiMC2lzIWCG0MDOYx