Rapper Saman Seydi (Yasin), arrested during the nationwide protests of 2022, has been held in Rajai Shahr Prison, Karaj, for over 300 days, with no clear indication of further legal proceedings.

Despite his requests, Seydi has not been permitted to have representation from a private lawyer. Judge Salavati has denied his lawyer access to the case documents, hindering his defense.

The arrest of Seydi took place on October 2, 2023, in Tehran during the protests, following which he was transferred to Rajai Shahr Prison.

On November 8, 2023, Seydi was convicted on several charges, including “enmity against God (Moharebeh), assembly and collusion against national security,” and sentenced to death. However, the Supreme Court of Iran later overturned this verdict, leading to the transfer of his legal case to another court branch for retrial.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hejab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. Protesters came to the streets with the central slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in protest against the performance, laws and structure of the regime. During the nationwide protests, thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, were arrested.