Protest Singer Tomaj Salehi Sentenced to Death

Tomaj Salehi, a protest singer, has been sentenced to death by the Isfahan Revolutionary Court.

Amir Raisiyan, Tomaj Salehi’s lawyer, announced the death sentence on Wednesday, Ordibehesht 5th. He said: “The death sentence for Tomaj has been issued for the charges brought in the 1401 case.” He stated that the Revolutionary Court, in an unprecedented move, considered the Supreme Court’s ruling to annul the lower court’s verdict as “advisory” and sentenced Tomaj to death, the severest punishment, on the charge of “spreading corruption on earth.”

Mr. Raisiyan, regarding Tomaj Salehi’s sentence, said: “Branch One of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court, while emphasizing the broadness of the charge of spreading corruption on earth and issuing a death sentence, had previously not established the broadness of this charge. But what is even more strange is that the lower court, for the death penalty, also considered supplementary punishment and sentenced Tomaj to two years ban on leaving the country, two years ban on artistic activities and attendance at behavioral management and judicial skills classes at the Isfahan court. The court has also declared Tomaj Salehi’s suspended sentence enforceable.”

Amir Raisiyan continued regarding other charges against Tomaj Salehi: “The Revolutionary Court considered other charges, which include ‘disruption of public order,’ ‘spreading false information,’ and ‘incitement to riots through cyber crimes,’ to be within the jurisdiction of the Isfahan Criminal Court Two and did not issue a ruling on these charges, and issued a suspension of prosecution for the charges of ‘contact with hostile states and insulting the leadership.'”

Tomaj Salehi’s lawyer attributed this occurrence to the issuance of an acquittal ruling on this charge in the same court’s previous verdict, and denying reports of his pardon or sentence reduction, announced that he will definitely appeal the issued verdict for Tomaj Salehi.

The new sentence issued for Tomaj Salehi comes as a hearing of his case was held in late Esfand of last year with charges of “incitement to violent acts through computer systems” and “spreading false information through computers” at the Isfahan Criminal Court Two. In July 1402, the Isfahan Revolutionary Court also sentenced Tomaj to six years and three months imprisonment on the charge of spreading corruption on earth in a case filed in 1401.

The Supreme Court annulled Tomaj Salehi’s previous sentence; however, Amir Raisiyan announced that even after this annulment in the Supreme Court and the requirement to remove two charges against him, the Revolutionary Court returned the case to the Isfahan Prosecutor’s Office. He also announced in Bahman of last year that two new charges have been added to Tomaj’s previous indictment, and he faces charges of “baghi,” meaning armed and group uprising against the system, as well as “assembly and conspiracy to commit crimes against security,” in the 1401 case. Mr. Raisiyan stated that the issuance of this indictment occurred while the Supreme Court emphasized that Tomaj is eligible for pardon.

Ye Van Rey, a member of the German Parliament and Tomaj Salehi’s political sponsor, reacting to this news, expressed that he was shocked and angry upon hearing this report. In response to the death sentence for Tomaj Salehi, he posted a video message saying: “Issuing a death sentence for this singer is illogical even by Iran’s own procedures. How is it possible that charges for which Tomaj received six years in prison last year have become so grave that he receives such a severe sentence.”

While calling this sentence ridiculous and inhumane, he addressed people around the world in the video: “This sentence has no legal basis and is completely unacceptable. If you are as shocked and angry as I am and are concerned about Tomaj’s condition, contact the embassies of the Islamic Republic in different countries.”