Demonstrators protested in London on Sunday towards the dying sentence imposed on a rapper by means of a court docket in Iran.
They wore mask of Toomaj Salehi’s face and erected a ridicule gallows out of doors Downing Side road.
The 33-year-old rapper used to be sentenced to dying by means of a court docket within the Iranian town of Isfahan previous this date for his aid of the Girl, Future, Autonomy motion.
Via his track, Salehi supported months of demonstrations in Iran sparked by means of the dying of Mahsa Amini in 2022.
She died in police custody nearest being arrested by means of morality police for allegedly dressed in an “improper hijab”.
All through the protests that adopted, Salehi used to be one in every of “the leaders of the riots who promoted violence”, in line with information web site Iran World, bringing up Fars information company which is affiliated with Iran’s Modern Barricade.
Iranian flags and placards, together with one studying “free Toomaj Salehi – death sentence for rapping”, have been carried by means of the protesters in London.
Salehi is understood for the usage of his lyrics to criticise the Islamic Republic of Iran, highlighting corruption, poverty, shape executions and the killing of protesters.
He used to be arrested in October 2022 and used to be sentenced to 6 years in jail in 2023, warding off a dying sentence nearest a ruling by means of Iran’s Preferrred Courtroom.
However that ruling seems to had been not noted.
“[This court], in an unprecedented move, did not enforce the Supreme Court’s ruling… and sentenced Salehi to the harshest punishment,” stated Salehi’s legal professional to the Iranian newspaper Shargh on Wednesday.
Salehi has 20 days to attraction the ruling.
“We will definitely appeal this verdict,” his legal professional stated.
Internationally, demonstrations have taken playground in aid of Salehi, together with in Spain, the USA and Australia.
On social media, the hashtag #FreeToomaj has been trending on platforms comparable to X, with customers calling for Salehi’s fast let fall.