According to CHRI, one of the sources close to Salehi reported that the musician was “seriously tortured” during his first days in Dastgerd prison in Isfahan province. His ankle was broken and he suffered severe injuries to his left eye from a blow to his head. Earlier, a video released by state media circulated that allegedly showed the rapper blindfolded and with facial wounds while asking for forgiveness for his support of the protests.
“We are very concerned about the severity and extent of his injuries,” the Iranian source is quoted as saying. According to CHRI, medical care is not possible in prison. He was denied an examination in the hospital, as well as the selection of a lawyer in order to adequately prepare for the trial.
CHRI called for the immediate release of Salehi and other political prisoners “through intense, coordinated international pressure”.
The nationwide protests in Iran began in September after the death in police custody of young Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini, who was arrested for allegedly violating the Islamic Republic’s dress code. Since then, at least 537 people have been killed by security forces in connection with the protests, according to the Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights.
