Demand for the Immediate Release of Kurdish Protest Musician Saman Yasin

July 26, 2023

Based on reports from the Kurdistan Human Rights Network, on July 22, 2023, Saman Yasin, a Kurdish rapper and Iranian political prisoner, was relocated to Razi Psychiatric Hospital (Amin Abad) in Shahr-e-Rey by the directive of the Prisons Organization. The news agency has reported that Yasin's nasal cavity was grievously injured through acts of torture, and he was denied necessary medical treatment. It appears that Iranian security and prison authorities aim to shatter the resilience of this political prisoner through the infliction of mental and physical torment.

Amin Abad Psychiatric Ward has a notorious record of mistreatment towards political prisoners. Within these walls, Behnam Mahjoubi, a member of the Gonabadi Dervish sect and political dissenter, suffered psychological torture and threats of electric shock in 2021. While experiencing symptoms of nervous attacks, memory loss, and temporary paralysis, he was forcibly injected with substances, restrained to his bed, and eventually returned to prison, where he subsequently died.

Saman Yasin, also known as Saman Seidi, a 27-year-old native of Kermanshah, has been subjected to the Iranian regime's retaliation for expressing dissent through his protest music. His songs, composed in response to the "Woman, Life, Freedom" uprising, led to his arrest in Tehran in September 2022. Shortly after his arrest, he was charged with "moharebeh" (waging war against God) and sentenced to death. This ruling was later revoked due to procedural inconsistencies, and a new case was opened against him, accusing him of "collusion to act against state security."

Saman Yasin's only acts of defiance have been through his music and peaceful protest against oppression. In his songs, Yasin has addressed poverty, hunger, and the humiliation and suppression of marginalized communities. Singing in both Kurdish and Persian, he uses his music to voice dissent. His right to choose a legal counsel was denied, and the government-appointed lawyer was not given access to his case files. Judge Salavati, notorious for his biased rulings, assigned fabricated charges to Mr. Yasin, allegations that Saman categorically denies.

Given the lack of fair trial standards during Saman Yasin's proceedings, we, the undersigned, demand his immediate acquittal and release. We urge the relevant authorities to respect and uphold the rule of law, ensuring justice for Saman Yasin.

Update: On July 29, 2023, Saman Yassin was returned to Evin Prison in Tehran after four days of hospitalization in Razi Psychiatric Hospital (Amin Abad). He sent a short text from jail, writing that the hospital had used electric shocks, beatings, and "injections" to silence him.