Iran rapper released after serving jail term: judiciary

TEHRAN: Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi, who was jailed for involvement in nationwide protests, has been released from prison after serving his term, the judiciary said. Salehi, 34, was arrested in October 2022 after publicly backing demonstrations that erupted a month earlier, triggered by the death in custody of Iranian Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini.

The singer had used his songs and social media to back the protests that followed Amini´s death days after her arrest for an alleged breach of the Islamic republic´s strict dress code for women.

“Toomaj Salehi, sentenced to one year in prison for propaganda against the political system, was released on Sunday after serving his sentence,” the judiciary´s Mizan Online website said. His defence team said he had been charged with “inciting sedition, gathering, conspiracy, propaganda against the system and calling for riots” during the months-long protests.