Tumaj Salehi, the outspoken Iranian rapper who supports anti-government protests, was back in custody less than two weeks after being released. Known for his outspoken lyrics, Salehi had faced several arrests, the latest being due to allegations of spreading false information and causing a stir on social media.
Witnesses reported seeing a group of armed men violently apprehending Salehi and his companions in the city of Babor. The men allegedly attacked the group without identification, repeatedly striking Salehi with a gun's barrel before taking him into custody.
Salehi had publicly supported the protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian-Kurdish woman who died in police custody in September 2022. Amini's alleged violation of Iran's strict Islamic dress code, leading to her "re-education" at a detention center, sparked nationwide protests.
For his support, Salehi encouraged protests against the regime and was a vocal critic of human rights abuses. His ardent advocacy earned him the support of many, including Ye-One Rhie, a German parliamentarian who condemned his violent arrest as retaliation for his criticism of the regime's actions.
During his previous imprisonment, Salehi sustained injuries and underwent torture. He shared his ordeal in a video, recounting being repeatedly beaten and having his fingers broken as he tried to protect his face.
The Iranian judicial news agency declared Salehi's re-arrest due to his spreading of false information without evidence and contributing to public discord. However, sources close to Salehi claimed he was recovering from his prison injuries and was preparing for a planned surgery.
In total, Salehi had faced multiple arrests, one resulting in a six-year sentence for "corruption on Earth," a severe offense in Iran's Islamic system. Despite international criticism, the Iranian authorities have continued to crack down on dissidents, underscoring the fragile state of political freedoms in the country.
