An Iranian rapper who backed the anti-government protests in Iran has been charged with "corruption on Earth" and could face the death penalty, the BBC reports. The rapper, Toomaj Salehi, 31, was arrested last month after he posted videos of himself protesting.

Salehi has been accused of "spreading propaganda, co-operating with a hostile government and incitement to violence," according to a judiciary official. A human rights group that his trial had already begun without a lawyer of his choice, however, the official denied the claim.

In an interview with CBC News that took place prior to his arrest, Salehi said posting videos critical of the government was "hard because you are making yourself a target for the regime forces." Salehi has used raps to voice his concerns about issues, including releasing clips in support of the protests, which were sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died in police custody 10 weeks ago after being detained for allegedly breaking Iran's strict hijab rules.

According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), at least 451 protesters have been killed and 18,170 others detained since Iranain authorities began cracking down on the protests, which they've portrayed as "riots" instigated by foreign enemies, per the BBC. At least 15 other people besides Salehi have been charged with capital offenses, including the Kurdish rapper Saman Yasin, according to Amnesty International.