[ad_1]
A new video campaign hopes to increase public pressure on the Iranian regime to release a prominent dissident rapper who has been arbitrarily detained for 80 days.
A close friend of Toumaji Salehi, often referred to by only his first name, the campaign calls on the hip-hop community and other music artists around the world to help save Toomaji’s life.
Negin Niknaam, who uses a pseudonym for his last name on social media for security reasons, told CBC News the rapper’s life is in great danger. She said Toomaj is in solitary confinement most of the time.
Toomaj was indicted in late November on multiple charges, the most serious of which amounted to “corruption on earth”, which could carry a death sentence under Iran’s Shariah law. have a nature.
Niknaam says that great efforts have been made to bring Toomaj’s case to the attention.This includes the endorsement of German politicians Yewan Leehe has taken on the rapper’s political patronage and is lobbying the Islamic Republic’s ambassador to Berlin to release him.
Watch | Social media campaign urges musicians to speak out about detention of Iranian rapper.
Supporters of imprisoned dissident Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi have launched the campaign on social media to draw attention to his case and say he is in danger of execution. .
But Niknam says that it wasn’t enough and Toomaji could be sentenced to death at any moment.
Niknam said, “That’s why I felt I had to be in front of the camera for the first time even if I took risks.”
She said it was important for Toomaj to be released before he was formally sentenced.
“No famous rapper has spoken out for him.”
The Iranian regime continues its bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protests, with at least four protesters,Which united nations Call it state-sanctioned murder.
In addition to official executions, at least 525 Iranians, including 71 children, have been killed by the regime since popular anti-regime protests began on September 16, 2022. flana.
Protests erupted after the death of Martha Amini, who was arrested for improperly wearing a hijab by the so-called moral police, which enforce religious law in the Islamic Republic. claimed to be dead.
Toomaji was one of the first high-profile individuals targeted by the regime when he was kidnapped by plainclothes agents on October 30, 2022.
In a video posted late Tuesday to Toomaj’s 1.2 million Instagram followers, Niknaam called on the international community to release him “especially as a rapper and artist.”
“I’m surprised no famous rapper has spoken up for him,” Niknam told CBC. “Where are they?”
So far, thousands of social media users have commented on the video message, tagging Canadian rappers like Drake, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar and Big Sean, as well as singers like Adele, Jennifer Lopez and Shakira. I’m here.
Iranian rappers Gdaal and Erfan are based in Toronto and Los Angeles, respectively. told CBC News They are surprised and frustrated that giants of the rap community like Jay-Z have not spoken out about Toomaj or the protests in Iran.
Watch | Toomaj tells CBC about the extent of Iran’s crackdown.
Iranian dissident rapper Toomaj Salehi talks to CBC News about what’s happening in his country.
Many of Toomaj’s fans tagged or tweeted American rapper NF. toumaji said The only artist he wants to collaborate with.
Niqnam said Toomaj is the voice of Iranians oppressed under the dictatorship, so the free world rapper is now obligated to be his voice.
allegation of torture
Niknam said Mr Toomaji’s father was allowed at least four visits under the supervision of the intelligence services.
At one meeting, Toumai asked his father if people outside were thinking or talking about him, Niknam said.
“My heart broke when I heard this. If only he knew how many people love him and want his release,” Niknam said.
Toomaj’s uncle Eghbal Eghbali recently Said Austrian media reported that when the rapper was kidnapped, regime agents tortured him so badly that he could not speak, eat or even drink water for days. said Toomaj was likely unconscious for several days.
Report from Isfahan PrisonWhere Toomaj is being held confirms that the torture caused him to suffer serious injuries, including broken fingers and broken legs.there is also Worried about injury to left eyehe is said to have received no medical attention.
Despite this, Toomaj apparently asked his father to read the book to him.
According to Iran Watcherit is likely that the regime’s intelligence and security agencies will decide Toomaj’s fate.
Nevertheless, Iranians have taken to social media to express their concerns about the judge handing down Toomaj’s sentence.
Morteza BharatiHeads the First Branch of the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan.
The regime’s revolutionary courts typically appoint their own lawyers for defendants, but according to Niknaam, lawyers appointed by Toomaj’s family were recently granted access to review the rapper’s case files.
She said her attorney has not yet been permitted to meet Toomaj personally.
[ad_2]
Source link
