An Iranian court has sentenced rapper Toomaj Salehi to death for his involvement in supporting protests against the compulsory hijab.
Salehi has been incarcerated for over a year and a half due to his endorsement of the series of demonstrations sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini. Amini passed away shortly after being arrested for wearing what authorities deemed an "inappropriate" hijab in 2022.
His lawyer, Amir Raisian, revealed on Wednesday, "Branch 1 of Isfahan Revolutionary Court... has sentenced Toomaj Salehi to death on the charge of spreading corruption on Earth."
Salehi was apprehended in October 2022 for publicly backing the anti-hijab protests. The Revolutionary Court accused him of "inciting sedition, organizing and colluding, disseminating propaganda against the system, and inciting unrest."
Although the Iranian Supreme Court reviewed the case and instructed the lower court to rectify any flaws in the sentence, Raisian noted that the court "asserted its independence in an unprecedented manner and did not execute the Supreme Court's directive."
Raisian affirmed that the rapper "will undoubtedly appeal the verdict."