**Toomaj Salehi: Iranian Rapper Released After Overturned Death Sentence**

**Iranian musician Toomaj Salehi, originally sentenced to death for his activism, has been released from prison after two years, with his death sentence overturned and the judiciary confirming he served time for propaganda against the state.**

Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi has been released from prison after an arduous two-year battle against his death sentence, which was overturned earlier this summer. The 34-year-old artist had been incarcerated since October 2022 for advocating against the Iranian government through his music, particularly in wake of the widespread protests that erupted following the death of Mahsa Amini while in police custody.

Salehi's fight for freedom gained traction when his death sentence was overturned by the Supreme Court in June 2023, leading to his release on Sunday after serving a year of a revised sentence of six years and three months for charges of propaganda against the state, according to reports from Mizan, Iran's judiciary-run news agency.

Before his arrest, Salehi was notable for his bold critiques of Iranian leadership, which ultimately led to a ban on his musical performances. Initially sentenced to death for "corruption on earth" in April 2024, this ruling caused outrage among human rights activists, asserting that Salehi’s imprisonment was unwarranted.

His earlier release on bail was short-lived as he faced re-arrest on accusations of spreading disinformation, specifically related to claims of torture by Iran's intelligence ministry. Salehi's legal troubles mirrored a period of intense unrest in Iran, ignited by Amini's tragic demise. The protests resulted in hundreds of fatalities and thousands of detentions nationwide.

Organizations like Index on Censorship celebrated Salehi's release as a just outcome, reaffirming their belief that he should never have been subjected to imprisonment in the first place. As Iran grapples with social upheaval, Salehi's story stands as a poignant reminder of the struggles facing artists and activists in the country.