A dissident rapper who backed the anti-government protests in Iran has been charged with "corruption on Earth" and could face the death penalty.

Toomaj Salehi, 31, was also accused of spreading propaganda, co-operating with a hostile government and incitement to violence, a judiciary official said.

The official denied a report by a human rights group that his trial had already begun without a lawyer of his choice.

Mr Salehi was arrested last month after he posted videos of himself protesting.