Samane Yasin, imprisoned rapper, hospitalized months after his nose was broken

Samane Saidi (Yasin), the imprisoned protest singer, was transferred from Qazalhasar prison in Karaj to Imam Ali Hospital in the city for nose surgery on Saturday, April 25, months after his nose was broken during 'torture' in prison. According to HRANA, the news agency of the Human Rights Activists in Iran, the nose of this rapper from Kermanshah was broken during interrogations. Samane Saidi, one of the detainees from the protests of 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of the morality police, had previously reported in an audio file about his tortures, including mock executions, forced confessions, and the breaking of his nose. He explained that interrogators caused his nose to break by placing a pen in the left nostril. According to this political prisoner, despite his breathing difficulties and nosebleeds, the 'judge' did not agree to send him for treatment. Reports indicate that despite more than 18 months since the arrest of this rapper supporting the protesters, no court has been formed to address his case, and he has been deprived of choosing a designated lawyer. Samane Yasin was arrested in early October 2022 and initially sentenced to death on charges of 'moharebeh' (waging war against God), 'conspiracy to commit a crime', and 'acting against national security', which was later overturned by the Supreme Court. He has been transferred to various prisons since the beginning of his detention and is currently in the section for 'drug-related crimes' in Qazalhasar prison in Karaj. The United States condemned the torture of Samane Yasin, calling it a violation of human rights and contrary to respect for human dignity. Pressure on critical artists and singers supporting protesters has intensified, especially after the nationwide protests of 2022, with many being summoned or imprisoned. Recently, Hamdaniyal Moghadam, a singer and actor summoned to court on charges of 'promoting corruption and prostitution', denied these accusations and announced that he refrained from attending the court session on April 23. Julie Turbeau, director of the 'Artists at Risk' group (ARC), emphasized that the Iranian government fears the power of music to inspire hope among citizens and to inspire aspirations for a better and fairer future for all.