The Kurdish singer and songwriter from Kermanshah, Saman Yasin, who is currently spending the 10th month of his detention in abeyance, released an audio message from Rajaie Shahr prison, reiterating his innocence and urging for the public's support.
“I have been in prison for ten months now and I haven’t committed any crime. I am not a political activist. I was not a supporter or member of any political group or opposition party. Like all of you, I just tried to make our life better,” the 27-years-old singer said in an audio message.
In a part of this message, Yasin, revealed that he was not allowed to select a lawyer, and even the appointed attorney by Judge Salvati was not allowed to pursue his case.
“According to Judge Salvati's order, I have no right to choose a lawyer.
Mr. Salavati himself assigned a lawyer for me whose name is Mr. Hossein Sertipi.
The appointed attorney informed me that Judge Salvati did not allow him to review and work on my case,” the Kurdish artist explained.
Yasin has been a vocal critic of the Iranian regime amid the popular uprising in Iran last year. He wrote messages of support for protesters on his social media channels and has written several protest songs.
Iran accused the Kurdish singer of attempting to kill security forces, setting a rubbish bin on fire, and shooting three times into the air during anti-government protests, charges which he and his family strongly denied.
“If singing and creating art for the suffering of poor people in the society is considered a political activity, then sentence me accordingly. Being completely innocent in prison for 9 months is very painful,” Yasin said in the audio message.
“Now I am talking to those of you who can help me. I ask you not to forget me. Be my voice and help me to be released from prison.”
