A German MP campaigning on behalf of a popular rapper jailed in Iran has said there was “nothing lawful” about his trial for participating in the anti-regime protests which swept across the country last autumn.
Toomaj Salehi was sentenced to more than six years in prison on Monday, assuaging fears he would be executed for his outspoken criticism of the government.
Authorities' heavy-handed response to the protest movement has left more than 500 demonstrators dead and imprisoned around 20,000 others.
Mr Salehi was convicted of 'enmity against God', a charge that often carries the death penalty, his lawyer confirmed on Monday. The rapper, whose large fan base has lobbied for his release, was held in solitary confinement and tortured while in custody, according to his supporters and relatives in Europe.
"Nothing about this 'trial' was just, lawful or transparent. Everything happened behind closed doors. This alone shows how weak the accusations of the Iranian regime against Toomaj are," Ye-One Rhie, a German MP and supporter of Mr Salehi, told The National.
“Since the death sentence was looming over him, I understand that people are relieved and happy at first. But we have to remind ourselves that Toomaj did nothing wrong. He does not deserve one day in prison. Let alone six years and three months.”
Ye-One Rhie,
German MP
“Since the death sentence was looming over him, I understand that people are relieved and happy at first. But we have to remind ourselves that Toomaj did nothing wrong. He does not deserve one day in prison. Let alone six years and three months.”
The rapper, a long-time critic of the government in Tehran, backed the widespread anti-government protesters that erupted last year over the death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of the country's religious police.
Tehran has been widely rebuked for its detention and trials of dissidents, often without charge, and its application of the death sentence and lengthy prison terms after closed-door trials.
Family members of Mr Salehi said he was only permitted a thirty-minute meeting with his lawyers during his detention.
"As far as I know he is still suffering from the injuries he sustained when he was tortured. His eye, his hand, his ribs and legs were never treated. Now that he has been released from solitary confinement, I really hope that he will get the treatment he needs," added Ms Rhie.
Iranian authorities have not commented.
Protests broke out on Monday in the north-western city of Mahabad during the funeral of a Kurdish man who was allegedly tortured to death by guards during a two-week detention.
Mourners chanted “Death to Khamenei” as crowds gathered at the funeral of Peyman Galvani, who was arrested in late June for unknown reasons.
Members of his family were prevented from seeing Mr Galvani's body, and were told that he had gone into a coma after a fall, the Kurdish Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights said in a report detailing his alleged torture at a detention centre in Urmia.
Mr Galvani's relatives were granted a single hospital visit, during which they noticed "extensive bruising" to his body, head and face, the organisation said.
Mr Galvani's death was the second to take place at the centre in the space of 24 hours, according to Radio Farda.
While nationwide protests have waned, demonstrations against Tehran have continued, most notably in the southern city of Zahedan, where residents have gathered every Friday to protest against Iran's long-time rulers.
Women also continue to flout the strict dress code imposed by authorities amid the introduction of more stringent hijab laws, including barring women without the hijab from entering universities.
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
The stats
Ship name: MSC Bellissima
Ship class: Meraviglia Class
Delivery date: February 27, 2019
Gross tonnage: 171,598 GT
Passenger capacity: 5,686
Crew members: 1,536
Number of cabins: 2,217
Length: 315.3 metres
Maximum speed: 22.7 knots (42kph)
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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MATCH INFO
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Man of the Match: Erik Pieters (Stoke)
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged W12
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 626bhp
Torque: 900Nm
Price: Dh1,050,000
On sale: now
SPECS
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The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
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The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
Brief scores:
Toss: Nepal, chose to field
UAE 153-6: Shaiman (59), Usman (30); Regmi 2-23
Nepal 132-7: Jora 53 not out; Zahoor 2-17
Result: UAE won by 21 runs
Series: UAE lead 1-0
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Directed: Smeep Kang
Produced: Soham Rockstar Entertainment; SKE Production
Cast: Rishi Kapoor, Jimmy Sheirgill, Sunny Singh, Omkar Kapoor, Rajesh Sharma
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.
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Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants
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Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
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THREE
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How much of your income do you need to save?
The more you save, the sooner you can retire. Tuan Phan, a board member of SimplyFI.com, says if you save just 5 per cent of your salary, you can expect to work for another 66 years before you are able to retire without too large a drop in income.
In other words, you will not save enough to retire comfortably. If you save 15 per cent, you can forward to another 43 working years. Up that to 40 per cent of your income, and your remaining working life drops to just 22 years. (see table)
Obviously, this is only a rough guide. How much you save will depend on variables, not least your salary and how much you already have in your pension pot. But it shows what you need to do to achieve financial independence.
The Ashes
Results
First Test, Brisbane: Australia won by 10 wickets
Second Test, Adelaide: Australia won by 120 runs
Third Test, Perth: Australia won by an innings and 41 runs
Fourth Test: Melbourne: Drawn
Fifth Test: Australia won by an innings and 123 runs
The biog
Name: Salvador Toriano Jr
Age: 59
From: Laguna, The Philippines
Favourite dish: Seabass or Fish and Chips
Hobbies: When he’s not in the restaurant, he still likes to cook, along with walking and meeting up with friends.
