PEN America Condemns Six-Year Prison Sentence for Iranian Rapper Toomaj Salehi and Calls on Iran to Release Him Immediately
Musician Reportedly Was Severely Tortured and Denied Medical Care Since His Arrest in 2022
(NEW YORK) – #PEN America today called for the immediate release of Iranian dissident and rapper #ToomajSalehi and condemned the “brutal” six-year #prison sentence he received on Monday solely for his protest music and encouraging dissent. Reported to have been tortured severely since his arrest in October 2022 on grounds of causing “corruption on Earth,” Salehi has been transferred out of solitary confinement and into a general ward.
Julie Trebault, director of #PENAmerica’s Artists at Risk Connection, said: “The severe sentence imposed on Salehi is a stark example of the Iranian authorities’ brutal actions. Persecuting musicians solely for their creative and free expression is unacceptable. Although the sentencing has moved him out of solitary confinement, we remain gravely concerned about his safety and well-being. We demand his immediate release and for all charges to be dropped against him. ARC stands firm in its commitment to defending artistic freedom and condemning any form of oppression on artists and cultural workers.”
