Peter Gabriel also joined the campaign to save the life of Toomaj Salehi, the Iranian rapper sentenced to death by a revolutionary tribunal for the blasphemous contents of his songs and for having supported the “Donna Vita Libertà” movement. The ex-leader of Genesis published a post on her social profiles stating: “I really wanted to participate in this campaign to save Toomaj Salehi, whose life is at risk. In our countries making music allows you to have fame and fortunebut for Toomaj it meant the death penalty. It's barbaric and must stop.” Signed “pg” and followed by the hashtag #freetoomaj
Numerous musicians have already joined the campaign to save Toomaj Salehi's life, including Nile Rodgers, Duran Duran, Nick Cave, Peter Frampton, Simon Pegg, Tom Morello, Chrissie Hynde/The Pretenders, Pet Shop Boys, Dave Stewart, Richie Sambora, Golshifteh Farahani, Michael Shannon, Rufus Wainwright, Jack Antonoff/Bleachers, Andy Taylor, Jimmy Somerville, Merck Mercuriadis, Nazanin Boniadi, Bob Ezrin, Sepp Osley, Dev Patel, Riz Ahmad and many more.
Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi has been sentenced to death for “corruption on earth” by a revolutionary court. Except for brief periods of freedom, the artist has been detained for over a year on charges relating to the content of his songs and for having supported the “Donna Vita Libertà” movement.
Toomaj Salehi is a fervent supporter of the anti-government protests that erupted after the death of Mahsa Jina Amini, the 22-year-old who lost her life after being placed in custody for not wearing the veil properly. In his songs the rapper calls for freedom for unjustly imprisoned prisoners and an end to repression. In his verses there is also space to denounce poverty and corruption.
Salehi said he was subjected to torture and held in prolonged solitary confinement.
Here you can sign Amnesty International's appeal to the Supreme Leader of Iran to stop Toomaj's execution.
Antonio Santini for SANREMO.FM
