Iran's top court overturns rapper Toomaj Salehi's death sentence, lawyer says

Iran's supreme court has overturned Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi's death sentence on charges linked to the country's 2022-23 period of unrest, his lawyer wrote in a post on the X social media platform on Saturday.

"The death sentence of #Toomaj_Salehi was overturned and based on the appeal decision ... of the Supreme Court, the case will be referred to (another) branch for consideration," lawyerAmir Raisian wrote on X.

"As expected, the Supreme Court avoided an irreparable judicial error," Raisiansaid in the social media post.

There was no immediate official confirmation of the ruling.

Salehi's songs supported protests sparked by the death in police custody of Mahsa Amini, a young Kurdish Iranian woman arrested in the capitalTehranfor allegedly wearing an "improper" hijab.

Salehi, 33, was initially arrested in October 2022 aftermaking public statements in support of the months-long countrywide protests.

In late 2023, just two weeks after being released on bail,Salehiwasarrested again after publishing a video in which he talks about beingtortured in prison. He said his head and face werefrequently beaten, and he suffered fractures to his hands and legs.

WATCH | Social campaign to free Iranian rapper:

Social campaign launched on behalf of jailed Iranian rapper Toomaj

2 years ago

Duration 1:27

Supporters of jailed dissident Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi have launched this campaign on social media to bring attention to his case, saying hes at risk of execution.

In April, an Iranian court sentenced himto death on the chargeof "spreading corruption on Earth,"Raisian said at the time. It's acharge often used against political dissidents.

After that sentencing, U.S. State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said the United States condemns theIranian regime's use of the death sentence as a "tool to suppress people's human rights and fundamental freedoms."

WATCH | Movement will only grow, Salehi previously told CBC News:

Iran's protest movement will only grow, says Toomaj

2 years ago

Duration 2:32

Iranian dissident rapper Toomaj Salehi talks to CBC News about whats happening in his country.