Death Sentence Issued for Saman Seyedi on Charges of Moharebeh
In the latest court session for Saman Seyedi, a Kurdish rap singer from Kermanshah, a death sentence has been issued on charges of moharebeh (waging war against God).
Saman Seyedi, known as Saman Yaseen, is a Kurdish artist from Kermanshah, Iran, who is a songwriter, composer and rap singer. Saman has composed and performed many songs in protest of the social and political conditions of society, including in support of the nationwide protests of 1401 (2022).
Saman Yaseen was arrested by security forces at his home on 10 Mehr 1401 (1 October 2022) and was subsequently transferred to Evin Prison. It should be noted that during his detention, he was held in solitary confinement and was also deprived of legal representation.
Saman Yaseen, like other detainees from the nationwide protests, was subjected to severe physical and psychological torture to extract forced confessions.
According to a report by the Judiciary News Agency of the Islamic Republic, on 7 Aban 1401 (29 October 2022), the trial of Saman Yaseen was held under the order of Abolqasem Salwati, head of Branch 15 of the Tehran Islamic Revolution Court, along with several others who had been arrested for participating in protests. Saman Yaseen was sentenced to death in this court on charges including supporting protest gatherings, singing songs of heroism and revolution, assembly and conspiracy with the intent to act against the security of the country, and moharebeh. The trial of Saman Yaseen was held in secret and without the presence of journalists, and even the government has threatened anyone publishing news of it.
This news, which was published through social media, sparked numerous reactions inside and outside the country. Subsequently, the Judiciary News Agency of the Islamic Republic stated: Counter-revolutionary media outlets, under the pretext that Saman Seyedi is an artist who merely participated in protests and was sentenced to death, have reported the news in such a way as if the defendant were innocent and had only participated as a protester in recent unrest and received a sentence that is final; however, this sentence has only been registered and has not yet become final.
It should be noted that some time ago, parliamentary representatives signed a statement regarding death sentences for protesters on charges of moharebeh. The question is: Has public reaction in Iran and abroad caused a denial of this sentence? Has the judiciary denied issuing this sentence due to these reactions and announced that the sentence has not yet become final, or is there another policy hidden behind this case?
The Persian-Speaking Christian News Network has published this news to clarify public understanding, and defers verification of the reported news to further reports.
