Kurdish political prisoner Saman Yasin, who was arrested during the Women Life Freedom uprising in Tehran one and a half years ago, has expressed his dissatisfaction with the prolonged uncertainty surrounding his detention in an open letter addressed to the head of the Iranian judiciary.
Referring to his detention in Tehran and Karaj prisons over the past 18 months, Yasin said: “I, Saman Yasin (Seydi), have been held in limbo in Tehran and Karaj prisons for the past 18 months without any legal basis or documentation. Despite several court appearances during this period, no hearings have taken place. I continue to face mental, emotional and physical challenges as incompetent authorities fail to transfer me to medical facilities for necessary treatment”.
Addressing the head of the judiciary, Yasin pleaded for clarity on the charges against him: “Please tell me what crime I have committed. If I am a criminal, imprison me. If I am not, then drop the charges and release me. I do not understand the reason for the anger and torment of the judicial system against me”.
At the end of his letter, Yasin referred to the torture he had endured during his detention and expressed his disappointment at the false promises made by the judicial authorities and prison officials.
He wrote: “I ask you to execute me. I cannot endure imprisonment and uncertainty for a crime that neither you nor I know. Please order my execution. I have no objection, and I willingly give you my fingerprints and signature. My life has been shattered, you have robbed me of my physical and mental well-being, subjected me to an artificial execution and taken me to the psychiatric hospital. What is left for you to do to me that you have not already done? Take my life too – end it! For 18 months I have been worn down by your false promises and lies. I am tired, put an end to it all!
Background
Yasin, who comes from Kermanshah, western Iran, was arrested after he was beaten by security forces during the anti-government protests in Tehran on 30 September 2022.
After his arrest, Yasin was first taken to the Public Prosecutor’s Security Office in Evin Prison and then transferred to the Greater Tehran Central Penitentiary and Evin Prisons.
On 29 October 2022, the Islamic Republic of Iran’s state news agencies reported that a court hearing was held for several arrested protesters, including Saman Yasin.
On the same day, a video of the singer’s forced “confessions” was released by state media.
The state-run outlets said that the Kurdish artist had been charged with “enmity against God” (moharebeh), which carries the death penalty in Iran, and “assembly and collusion with the intention of acting against the security of the country”.
Yasin’s death sentence verdict was issued by Branch 28 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran, presided over by Judge Amouzad.
In late December 2022, the Iranian Supreme Court overturned Yasin’s death sentence due to “lack of investigation” and referred it to the same court for reinvestigation and retrial.
The document sent to Yasin in prison stated that the charges brought against him were “assembly and collusion with the intention of committing a crime against the security of the country”, and “disturbing the public order and peace”.
Since his arrest, Yasin has been interrogated several times and subjected to physical and mental torture, including solitary confinement, being kept in a room known as “the morgue”, severe beating, sticking a pen in his left nostril, being thrown down from stairs, and being forced to make “confessions” under duress.
He has also gone on hunger strike several times to protest against his harsh conditions in prison and the state of uncertainty surrounding his case.
On 20 December 2022, Yasin attempted suicide by swallowing pills due to the harsh detention conditions in Hall 31 of Ward 10 of Rajai Shahr Prison. He received the initial treatment at the prison hospital and was then moved to the political prisoners’ ward.
On 22 July 2023, Yasin was transferred from Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj to Aminabad Psychiatric Hospital by order of Judge Salavati and returned to prison after a few days of involuntary hospitalisation.
The political prisoner’s involuntary admission to Aminabad Psychiatric Hospital in Rey came after an audio message from him about his situation was shared on social media.
Several scheduled hearings in Yasin’s case have been cancelled for various reasons. Most recently, on 7 February 2024, his court session at Branch 15 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran, presided over by Judge Salavati, was cancelled due to the absence of his appointed lawyer.
Following repeated cancellations, Yasin angrily banged his head against the wall in protest at the latest cancellation, causing serious injuries.
