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Salehi was among thousands of mostly young Iranians who took to the streets last fall after the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who had been arrested by Iran's morality police for allegedly violating the country's strict Islamic dress code. into calls for the overthrow of Iran's clerical rulers.

The 33-year-old rapper, who was arrested last October, had criticized Iran's government in songs that were widely circulated online.

“Someone's crime was dancing with her hair in the wind,� he raps in a video with over 450,000 views on YouTube — an apparent reference to Amini.

In another verse, he predicts the downfall of Iran's theocracy. "Your whole past is dark, the government that took the light out of the eyes... We go from the bottom of the pyramid and knock to the top... Forty-four years of your government, this is the year of failure."

After his arrest, state media released a video showing him blindfolded and apologizing for his words, a statement likely made under duress. Rights groups say Iran routinely tortures prisoners into making false confessions.

Following the protests, authorities launched a heavy crackdown, in which over 500 people were killed and nearly 20,000 arrested, according to Human Rights Activists in Iran, a group that closely monitored the unrest. Authorities have said or given reduced sentences.

The protests , but there are still .

in connection with the protests, accusing them of attacking security forces. They were convicted in secretive courts where rights groups say they were denied the right to defend themselves. Salehi's supporters had feared that he too could face the death penalty.