The protests spread across the country and quickly escalated into calls for the overthrow of Iran’s rulers.
The 33-year-old rapper, who was arrested last October, had criticised Iran’s government in songs and music videos that were widely circulated online.
“Someone’s crime was dancing with her hair in the wind,” he rapped in a video with more than 450,000 views on YouTube – an apparent reference to Amini.
In another verse, he appears to predict the downfall of Iran’s theocracy: “Your whole past is dark … Forty-four years of your government, this is the year of failure.”
After his arrest, state media released a video showing him blindfolded and apologising for his words. Rights groups say Iran routinely tortures prisoners into making false confessions.
Following the protests, authorities launched a heavy crackdown, in which some 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 many of those detained were released or given reduced sentences.
Iran has executed a total of seven people 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.
