The moment hero learned he would die for standing up to Iran’s regime: Kurdish rapper holds his head in his hand as judge orders his execution for supporting protests
- Saman Yasin, 27, was sentenced to death on 29 October for ‘war against God’
- He had supported the protests against death of Mahsa Amini by posting online
- Also wrote songs speaking of topics including unemployment and oppression
This is the devastating moment a hero Kurdish rapper holds his head in his hands as a judge orders his execution for supporting protests against Mahsa Amini’s death in Iran.
Saman Yasin, 27, from Kermanshah, who lived in Tehran, was violently arrested at his home on 2 October.
On 29 October, he was sentenced to death at the 15th branch of Islamic Revolutionary Court by judge Abolqasem Salavati without family or any lawyers present.
An anonymous source told anti-regime media that Saman’s family were threatened against talking about it.
It is unclear when the rapper is to be executed.
The 27-year-old was accused of ‘war against God’ as he had supported the protests against the death of Mahsa Amini by posting about them on social media.
Also, he wrote songs speaking of topics including unemployment and government oppression.
Saman Yasin, 27, from Kermanshah, who lived in Tehran, was violently arrested at his home on 2 October, the same day as two of his friends. On 29 October, he was sentenced to death by the 15th branch of Islamic Revolutionary Court and judge Abolqasem Salavati without family or any lawyers present, pictured
An anonymous source told anti-regime media that Saman’s family were threatened against talking about his death sentence. It is unclear when the rapper is to be executed. Pictured: Saman
Since Saman, pictured, was sentenced to death, numerous campaigns to overturn the ruling have been launched online
Mahsa Amini – whose death at the hands of morality police in September sparked the current wave of protests – was also Kurdish.
Since Saman was sentenced to death, numerous campaigns to overturn the ruling have been launched online.
On Twitter, a hashtag was used to support him ‘#سامان_یاسین – Saman Yasin and others currently facing the death sentence after being arrested in the latest protests.
Before he was sentenced to death by Salavati, Saman had been held at Fashafouyeh prison and then transferred to Evin prison. He was allegedly subject to physical and psychological torture in custody.
Salavati, sanctioned by the EU and US treasury department, has been accused of frequently handing out lengthy jail terms, lashes or death to journalists, lawyers, political activists, and ethnic and religious minorities.
Israelis attend a demonstration in support of Iran protests in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv on October 29, pictured
On Twitter, a hashtag was used to support him ‘#سامان_یاسین – Saman Yasin, pictured, and others currently facing the death sentence after being arrested in the latest protests
The sentencing of Saman comes after Toomaj Salehi, also a rapper, was arrested last week.
He wrote lyrics denouncing the oppressive government regime which included: ‘Someone’s crime was that her hair was flowing in the wind. Someone’s crime was that he or she was brave and were outspoken.’
His home in Chaharamahal and Bakhtiari Province was raided by 50 people after authorities said he created, invited and encouraged riots in Isfhan province and Shahin Shahr.
He faces charges of ‘propagandistic activity against the government, cooperation with hostile governments and forming illegal groups with the intention of creating insecurity in the country.’
The 32-year-old is currently in prison in Isfahan and his uncle has said he has been tortured.
His family do not know if he or his friends Mohammad Reza Nikraftar and Najaf Abu Ali are alive- no one has heard from them since their arrest on the same day as him.
Salehi had urged people to protest against the government since demonstrations started in mid September.
He was also arrested last September. He wrote on Instagram that the government cannot and should not be allowed to divide Iranians.
The 32-year-old has rapped about ethnicity and diversity in Iran and encouraged unity.
In the days before his arrest, he posted videos with protesters on his Instagram.
His fans and Iranians, musicians and activists have also called for his release.
According to independent authorities, the ongoing protests, pictured, after Mahsa Amini’s death have claimed between 304 and 356 lives and injured at least 1,160
Speaking to CNN, Iranian rapper, songwriter and activist Erfan Payfar said: ‘A lot of rappers have come out and supported him.
‘Toomaj’s bravery of protesting in the streets encouraged others to get out there and speak up and made people think ‘if he’s willing to go out there and he’s not scared, then maybe we shouldn’t be.’
The rapper had also shared a message with his friends to be released to them if he was arrested.
He said they should cover calls for protests, not support any party or group and not write about prisoners unless their condition worsens and they have no voice.
The 32-year-old told them to focus on attack and defence and said to go forward according to his operation.
A demonstrator cuts a lock of her hair during a gathering in support of Iran protests in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv on October 29, pictured
His uncle said that his mother had been a political prisoner who died a long time ago.
He explained that she would be his voice if he was alive and he has now taken the role.
His uncle added that the protesters on the streets of Iran are also Toomaj’s voice.
According to independent authorities, the ongoing protests after Mahsa Amini’s death have claimed between 304 and 356 lives and injured at least 1,160.
Iranian minorities, notably Kurds, are believed to have disproportionately suffered from state repression during the ongoing protests.
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