On Thursday, Iranian judicial authorities arrested a prominent dissident for "spreading lies" and “the violation of public opinion.”
According to his account on X, rapper Toomaj Salehi, 32, was taken into custody by plainclothes officials while he was walking in the northern city of Babol. The social media post also alleged that Salehi was assaulted by the officers and struck with rifle stocks during the arrest.
The popular hip-hop artist had been one of the most notable celebrity voices during the anti-government protests that took place in the wake of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini’s death while in the custody of the regime's morality police.
Salehi was recently released on bail after serving 13 months of a 6-year sentence for a protest-related conviction of “corruption on earth.” He originally faced a possible death sentence in the case.
Salehi's attorney, Amir Raisian, told AFP shortly after the incident, “My client has been arrested again today, but we don’t know the details.”
His recent confrontation with the security agents may be linked to a video message he shared on his YouTube channel this week, in which he claimed to have endured repeated torture while in prison. Salehi described being held mostly in solitary confinement and regularly beaten, leading to several bone fractures.
The rapper is widely known throughout Iran and its diaspora community for his protest songs against the theocracy in Tehran.
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