Hengaw Expresses Serious Concerns Regarding Saman Yasin’s Conviction
Hengaw; Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Hengaw has voiced profound concern over the disclosure of details surrounding the conviction of Saman Yasin, a prominent Kurdish artist and activist detained during the "Women, Life, Freedom" movement. Official documents obtained by Hengaw reveal that Saman Yasin has been sentenced by the judiciary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to five years of imprisonment, including solitary confinement and isolation in exile. Despite his illness, Mr. Yasin has endured 568 days (19 months) of detention without being granted furlough.
Reports received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights indicate that Saman Yasin, detained during the "Jin, Jian, Azadi" movement, has been sentenced to five years of imprisonment, including solitary confinement and exile to Shahrebabak prison in Kerman province, by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court under the leadership of Chief Judge Mohammadreza Amouzadeh.
Following the publication of Saman Yasin's sentence, issued by his appointed lawyer in a deliberately vague and incomplete manner, Hengaw has obtained reliable information suggesting that Saman Yasin, a Kurdish political prisoner, has not only been sentenced to five years of imprisonment in exile but also specifically condemned to isolation in solitary confinement. This entails a lack of communication or interaction with fellow inmates and visiting his family, highlighting the severity of his sentence.
Hengaw criticizes the actions of Saman Yasin's appointed attorney, believing that he intentionally downplayed the severity of the sentence to "exile" only in order to reduce public pressure and cover the sham trial conducted by the judiciary of the Islamic Republic. In reality, the sentence includes five years of imprisonment in exile. This strategic move is seen as part of a broader governmental agenda and is viewed as a violation of oath and professional ethics, warranting a revocation of the attorney’s license.
It is important to note that in Iran, especially in political cases, defense attorneys are appointed by the court for the defendant, with minimal input from the defendant themselves. Consequently, legal fees for the defense attorney are covered by the judiciary. However, during movements such as "Women, Life, Freedom," some appointed defense attorneys have deviated from their ethical obligations, condemning their own clients instead of providing adequate defense.
The trial proceedings for Saman Yasin's case took place on April 18th, with the verdict communicated to his appointed lawyer on Sunday, April 21. Hengaw has learned that during the court hearing, Saman Yasin's family was barred from attending, and authorities resorted to physical assault against him at the end of the hearing.
Previously, the artist had demanded that his court session be held publicly and had called for the participation of domestic and international lawyers and journalists. He urged them to send their attendance requests to Judge Salavati and the court authorities as soon as possible.
Saman Yasin has stated that the repeated cancellations of his court sessions and the deliberate obstruction of his transfer to the hospital are part of a deliberate process aimed at “destroying his body and mind” by security institutions.
On Wednesday, August 2, 2023, Saman Yasin was urgently transferred from Rajaishahr Prison, along with a group of political prisoners, to Ward 8 of Evin Prison, and then on September 3, from there to Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj.
On September 20, 2023, he was expelled from Unit 3 of Ghezel Hesar Prison without permission to take his personal belongings and was transferred to a section holding prisoners convicted of drug-related crimes.
On October 29, 2022, Saman Yasin was sentenced to death by the Public and Revolutionary Court of Tehran on charges including “Moharebeh” (waging war against God). This sentence was later overturned by the Supreme Court, and his case was referred back for re-examination to a court of the same level.
Saman Seydi, known as Saman Yasin, a songwriter, composer, and rapper from Kermanshah residing in Tehran, was arrested on October 2, 2022, by security forces at his home for supporting protests. After interrogation, he was transferred to Rajaishahr Prison.
