He says “What I fear most of all is fear itself, so I chow it down.” Toomaj Salehi is a gifted, accomplished artist with big dreams. His father was a political activist who was arrested by the Islamic Republic of Iran when Toomaj was young. Growing up in a small mountainous village inspired him to follow his talents in martial arts, boxing, and later songwriting. He became one of the most influential rappers in Iran, his music touched Iranian youth as he was narrating the social-political issues and the pain that an empath feels living under oppression. He is also a mechanical engineering graduate and works in a metal factory.

Toomaj kept using his platform and his voice to speak up about Iran’s social issues even after his first arrest in 2021. Following the death of #MahsaAmini in 2022, he went into hiding to be able to amplify people’s voices, but sadly he was arrested on 30 Oct 2022. He is accused of waging war against God and corruption on Earth. He has been tortured and kept under unhuman conditions. He is facing death penalty if the judge finds him guilty. 

Ye-One Rhie a German politician of Korean descent and a member of the Bundestag writes: “Why did I become the political sponsor of #ToomajSalehi? Toomaj gives the answer himself: "If you saw the pain of the people, but you closed your eye, you are an accomplice". Toomaj never closed his eyes. Neither should we. That's why we keep fighting for him. #FreeToomajSalehi”

#ToomajSalehi