In 2022, a 22-year-old woman, Mahsa Amini, died in the custody of the Morality Police in Iran. She had been put in jail because she “incorrectly” wore her hijab. Soon, the Woman, Life, Freedom movement began and mass protests were happening all over the country. Toomaj Salehi was a Grammy-winning rapper who supported the demonstrations and wrote the song ‘Fal.’ In it, he invoked Mahsa’s name and said her only crime was dancing with her hair blowing in the wind.

Soon, Toomaj was scooped up by the local police, and for the past two years, he was imprisoned, assaulted, tortured, and given a death sentence. This drew international condemnation, because most of Iran’s court system is behind closed doors. In June, there was hope as Toomaj’s death sentence was overturned by the Supreme Court. On December 1, Toomaj was released, but it’s unknown if the rapper will be charged again.

On Instagram, Toomaj posted a picture with a flower thanking well-wishers for their support. His post read, "For the past two years, you have done unpredictable, magnificent, and unbelievable things for me. I am a part of you today."

Check out Toomaj Salehi’s ‘Fal’ video below.