Iranian Rapper Languishing in Prison Tells Judiciary: “Take My Life Too”

Saman Yasin, a well-known Iranian rapper imprisoned since the 2022 nationwide uprising, has asked the judiciary to decide about his fate after enduring more than a year of torture. 

In a letter published on Yasin's Instagram account, Yasin painted a picture of despair and frustration.

"You've staged mock executions, hospitalized me… What's left? Take my life too and be done with it," he wrote. 

"In the past 18 months, court dates have been scheduled numerous times but were never held," the artist added.

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

The Supreme Court later overturned the sentence.

In his letter, 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. 

"I do not know what the hostility and harassment of the judicial authorities towards me mean.

"I demand my execution! I cannot endure imprisonment and uncertainty for a crime that remains undisclosed to both you and me.”