Iran Court Sentences Kurdish Rapper Saman Yasin to 5 Years in Exile

Saman Yasin, a Kurdish rapper arrested during the Woman, Life, Freedom protests, was sentenced to five years in exile in Kerman province.

The lawyer representing Yasin said the verdict was issued by Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court.

This judgment was personally delivered to Saman Yasin's lawyer on Sunday.

Lawyer Hossein Sartipi said, "Saman Yassin has been spared from execution. According to the ruling by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, he has been sentenced to five years of exile to a city in Kerman province. I intend to appeal to the Supreme Court." 

"Yasin has been in temporary detention for over 18 months," he added. 

Yasin, a vocal critic of Iran's clerical establishment, was arrested on October 2, 2022, and tortured during his detention. He was then sentenced to death on October 29 on the charge of "waging war against God."

The Supreme Court later overturned the sentence.

In his letter last month, Yasin highlighted his ongoing struggles with mental and physical health issues, saying, "I continue to suffer, yet incompetent officials cannot even facilitate my access to medical care."

"Please inform me of the crime I have committed. If I am found guilty, then imprison me, if not, then acquit me," he wrote.