human rights defender

Saman Seyedi (Yasin)

Actions and Campaigns

Urgent support needed

Medical assistance. Saman Seyedi, despite his poor physical and mental health, has been denied proper medical care.

HRD's year of birth

1998

HRD's Gender

Man

Type of HRD

  • Artist

HRD's thematic area of engagement

  • Civil and political rights

Current Status

Released

HRD's bio and work

Saman Seyedi, known by his stage name Yasin, is a Kurdish Iranian singer and social activist who was arrested during the 2022 "Woman, Life, Freedom" protests. He was handed a severe sentence on charges related to "acting against national security" and participating in the protests. Seyedi has faced repeated repression for his support of Kurdish rights and his opposition to the policies of the Islamic Republic. His case has drawn widespread attention from human rights activists both within Iran and internationally. Notably, in December 2022, while in prison, Seyedi attempted suicide by consuming pills.

Detained since

Feb 10, 2022

Date of release

Oct 23, 2024

Charge(s)

  • Blasphemy
  • Subversion

Allegations / reports of ill-treatment

Saman Yasin, who suffers from physical and mental health issues, has been transferred daily to the infirmary at Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj for some time. However, due to a lack of adequate medical facilities in this infirmary, his condition remains poor. Despite his need for specialized medical care, he has been denied transfer to a hospital outside the prison. Additionally, Saman Yasin’s certificate of incapacity to endure imprisonment, which has been approved by the Supreme Court, has not yet been forwarded to the parallel court branch. https://www.hra-news.org/2024/hranews/a-49700/

Latitude: 35.80195472528591

Longitude: 50.856278837167366

Geolocation of detention

Country or area of detention

Region of detention

  • Asia: Southern Asia

Location of detention - City/Town

Tehran

Location of detention - Facility

Tehran, Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj

Recent case update / evolution

Saman Yasin was temporarily released from Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj on bail so that he could receive treatment and medical care outside the prison.

Any other relevant documents

Saman Seydi Yasin – PEN Profile https://pen.org/writer-at-risk/saman-seydi-yasin/

Mother Of Saman Seydi, Iranian Kurdish Rapper Sentenced To Death By Regime For Participation In Protests, Pleads For Help To Prevent His Execution: I Ask The People, Human Rights Organizations To Help My Son https://www.memri.org/tv/mother-saman-seydi-iranian-kurdish-rapper-sentenced-death-regime-protests-pleads-help

Iran: Chilling use of the death penalty to further brutally quell popular uprising https://www.amnistia.org/en/news/2022/11/22406/iran-use-of-the-death-penalty-to-further-brutally-quell-popular-uprising

Documented by