#toomaj

Actions for death row Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi

A twitter storm is set for tomorrow and rally in Trafalgar Square on Sunday this April. Global events are planned also. At a time when mass murders are happening in Palestine and we are feeling more than paralysed at how to help while holding our space for universal human rights between the evils of the regime and Likud, this is one life we might be able to effect change for.

Good news - kind of.

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Please take the time to read these two articles from IranWire about the horrific conditions two prisoners in Iran are facing. It's absolutely infuriating and heartbreaking, and people need to speak about this more. (The second prisoner whose story here, the rapper Toomaj, is allegedly also at risk of execution, according to this post on the /r/NewIran subreddit.) Please share!

An English translation of lyrics to Soorakh Moosh (Mouse Hole) may be found here in which rapper Toomaj criticizes those actively and passively lending their support to the Islamic regime.

In late October, Toomaj Salehi was arrested by the Iranian regime for criticizing their rule. He has since been charged with being a mohareb, someone who "wages war against God." These are charges that under Iran's Islamic Sharia law result in a death sentence and subsequent execution.

Shortly before his arrest, Toomaj was interviewed by CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) News in which he describes how difficult it is to access the Internet and explains that what is leaked is but a mere fraction of what is happening on the ground of Iran.

During this time he released a video in which he alleged that he had been severely tortured after his arrest, and placed in solitary confinement for 252 days, but had not "confessed". He said that the torture included getting an adrenaline injections so that he would not pass out, getting beaten up and having his arms, legs and fingers broken, and staying in a constantly lit cell for more than 200 days.