Iran has freed prominent hip-hop artist and government critic Toomaj Salehi, who rose to fame with lyrics inspired by the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini. Salehi, who was arrested in November 2023, had been sentenced to death by a Revolutionary Court, sparking international condemnation. That sentence was overturned in June, and local media confirmed his release occurred Sunday.
The Grammy-winning artist became a symbol of dissent during mass protests following Amini’s death in police custody after her arrest for allegedly violating Iran’s strict dress code. Salehi’s lyrics criticized the Iranian regime, with one song referencing Amini’s death: “Someone’s crime was dancing with her hair in the wind.” His music also predicted the eventual collapse of Iran’s theocratic government.
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Salehi has spoken about being tortured during his detention, while state media previously broadcasted a video showing him blindfolded and apologizing—a statement widely believed to have been coerced.
The Artist at Risk Connection, a New York-based advocacy group, praised Salehi’s release. “This case highlights the grave risks artists face when challenging authoritarian regimes, as well as ARC’s ongoing efforts to advocate for their rights,” the group said in a statement.
UN investigators have accused Iran of using excessive force to suppress largely peaceful protests sparked by Amini’s death, which resulted in over 500 deaths and more than 22,000 arrests. While Iran has a history of targeting dissidents and artists, reports suggest such prosecutions have declined since pro-reform President Masoud Pezeshkian took office in July.