Paris - (AFP) - The family of Iranian rapper Tomag Salehi, who was arrested for supporting the protests that erupted following the death of Mahsa Amini, said his life is in danger after his trial began Saturday away from the media.

Iran has intensified its crackdown on the protests that erupted following Amini's death on September 16 after she was arrested in Tehran for failing to adhere to the Islamic Republic's strict dress code.

Salehi is a well-known figure in Iran, and he was arrested late last month after denouncing the regime and supporting the protests, according to human rights organizations.

The New York-based Center for Human Rights in Iran tweeted that "the first session of the so-called 'trial' of opposition Iranian rapper Tomag Salehi took place today without the presence of a lawyer of his choice."

And the family's tweet stated that "his life is currently in grave danger," noting that he faces charges of "enmity to God" and "corruption on earth", which are offenses punishable by death in the Islamic Republic.

Salehi went missing at the end of October until he appeared in a video recording broadcast by Iranian official media on November 2.

In the video, it is indicated that it is Salehi's first appearance since his arrest.

The video shows a blindfolded man who says he is Salehi and admits to making a "mistake".

Activists condemned the rapper's video, which was published by Iranian state media, and described it as a forced confession.

Salehi is one of several prominent figures arrested in the widespread crackdown, during which dozens of journalists, lawyers, intellectuals and civil society figures have been arrested.

Salehi's arrest came after an interview he gave to the Canadian "CBC" network , during which he said, "There is a mafia ready to kill the entire nation... to keep its power, money and weapons."

And Iranian official media reported that Salehi was arrested while trying to cross the western border of the country, which was denied by his family, who confirmed that he was then in Chahar Mahal and Bakhtiari province in the west of the country.