Parents of Samaneh Yasin, Imprisoned Rapper: We Have No News of Him; Judge Salavati Does Not Accept the Court-Appointed Lawyer

The parents of Samaneh Yasin (Seyedi), the imprisoned rapper, stated in an interview with Shargh newspaper regarding the news of their son's transfer to Razi Psychiatric Hospital (Aminabad) that they have received no information in this regard. Fowzieh Koorani, Samaneh's mother, said in the interview published on Tuesday, July 24, "No one has informed us about this matter. We have no way to find out. We want to travel from Kermanshah to Tehran to see what has happened. Currently, we have no news about the situation of Samaneh Yasin." Ms. Koorani added that during her last contact with Samaneh a few days ago, her son told her, "His nerves are very bad, and he is fed up with his situation, but he did not say he was going to be transferred to Aminabad Hospital." In another part of the interview with Shargh newspaper, Samaneh's mother stated, "They said the court session is scheduled for September 9. Samaneh has a lawyer. Mr. Sartipi is his (court-appointed) lawyer, but he also says that Mr. Salavati does not allow me to enter the case, which is why we do not have much news about the case and are waiting for the court session." Timur Seyedi, Samaneh's father, said in an interview with Shargh, "Three days ago, Samaneh called and said he has a nerve problem and is tired of this situation. Since then, we have had no news from him. Since yesterday, we have been informed that Samaneh has been transferred to Aminabad Hospital, but we have no news." The father of this imprisoned artist further stated, "Yesterday, Mr. Sartipi (Samaneh Yasin's court-appointed lawyer) called and asked me what the story of Samaneh's transfer to Aminabad Hospital is. I said, honestly, I don’t know. No one has informed us whether Samaneh has been transferred to the hospital or not, nor has the lawyer of the case. We are trying to travel to Tehran to see what has happened." According to reports from some human rights organizations, Samaneh Yasin was transferred from Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj to Razi Psychiatric Hospital in the city of Rey on Saturday, July 22, by order of Judge Abolqasem Salavati. In recent days, Samaneh released an audio file from prison stating that he has committed no crime and remains in limbo ten months after his arrest. This 27-year-old artist said in his audio message, "Abolqasem Salavati has not allowed me to have a chosen lawyer during these 10 months of detention; he has not allowed me to choose a lawyer who can work on my case... A court-appointed lawyer named Hossein Sartipi has been assigned to me, but when I contact this court-appointed lawyer, he says the judge does not allow me to work on your case." Samaneh was arrested on October 1, 2022, during protests against the killing of Mahsa (Jina) Amini in Tehran by the security forces of the Islamic Republic. According to the Kurdistan Human Rights Network, solitary confinement, severe beatings, being subjected to torture such as having a pen inserted into his left nostril, and being thrown from heights are among the severe physical and psychological tortures Samaneh has faced during his detention. Samaneh Yasin's message as a prisoner: I am innocent and have been in limbo for 10 months. Annual report on "Artistic Freedom in the World"; the continuation of censorship and systematic restrictions in Iran. Tomaj and Yasin: The Echo of Imprisonment; the lives of two protesting Iranian rappers remain in danger. Samaneh Yasin, the protesting singer, ended his hunger strike at the request of his cellmates. Samaneh Yasin's lawyer: The case has been referred to the prosecutor's office; his punishment was not deemed to be death. Samaneh Yasin's suicide attempt in prison; his political sponsor: It was due to "inhumane" conditions. Amnesty International's concern over the "confirmation of the death sentence" for the protesting rapper; Samaneh Seyedi's lawyer: He has not harmed anyone. Three members of the German parliament accepted the political sponsorship of three detained protesters in Iran.