Iranian rapper sentenced to death for 'writing protest slogans on walls'

A 22-year-old Iranian rapper, Mahnam Navab Safavi, has been sentenced to death by a Revolutionary Court in Isfahan, according to human rights organizations and diaspora media reports.

Safavi received the death sentence on charges of "waging war against God through participation in the destruction of public property," as well as "propaganda against the establishment" and "assembly and collusion." The court cited his alleged writing of protest slogans on walls as the destruction of public property.

Reports indicate that Safavi's lawyers were denied access to his case file and an opportunity to defend him. The trial proceeded in absentia, despite Safavi being in detention at Isfahan Central Prison.

In December, Safavi had posted on social media expressing his intention to join protests. The sentencing highlights the ongoing targeting of musicians by the Islamic Republic, with previous cases including rapper Toomaj Salehi and singers facing lashes for their performances.

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Until further notice, I, for my part, will be joining the strike and solidarity of the Iranian people, both in real and virtual form, and I will not be active in virtual form.