Iran’s judiciary has allowed Toomaj Salehi, a jailed dissident rapper who is facing charges that carry death sentences, to be represented by lawyers of his choice, one of the lawyers says.
The 32-year-old Salehi has gained notoriety for lyrics that rail against corruption, widespread poverty and state executions in Iran.
He was arrested two months ago after releasing songs in support of the ongoing nationwide protests and posting pictures and videos of himself during demonstrations.
"My colleague Mrs. Roza Etemad Ansari and I were accepted in the case of Mr. Toomaj Salehi as his lawyers,” lawyer Amir Raesian tweeted on December 29.
Raesian said the two lawyers would meet their client once they read his entire case file.
The Iranian authorities have indicted Salehi with "corruption on earth" and "waging war against God,'' serious offenses that could result in death sentences.
Official media have claimed that the singer was arrested while trying to flee the country, which people close to the rapper deny.
The artist is said to have been subjected to “severe torture” at the hands of the clerical regime while in solitary confinement.
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