The Iranian judiciary authorities handed a five-year prison sentence to Kurdish rapper Saman Yasin a few days ago following his detention over a year ago during the nationwide anti-government protests following the death of a Kurdish woman while in police custody.
In October 2022, Yasin, also goes by the nickname Saman Seydi, was detained amid the Jin, Jiyan, and Azadi (Women, Life, and Freedom) protests sparked over the death of Mahsa Amini, a Kurdish woman who died while in police custody over a lax hijab.
He was afterward handed a death sentence on charges including “Moharebeh” (waging war against God), but it was revoked following his appeal in December.
On April 17, Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court held a confidential session and sentenced Sedyi to five years in jail and transfer to a city in Kerman, according to the monitor Hengaw Organization for Human Rights.
His lawyer was notified of the ruling on April 21.
The Kurdish inmate previously called for a public trial under the auspices of domestic and international lawyers and journalists, but this request was rejected by the Iranian authorities.
The country has come a close scrutiny by international human rights organizations over an array of alleged abuses ranging from human rights violations against women, LGBTI people, and ethnic and religious minorities.
