His fate, to be decided in the coming days by Iranian courts, could be shared with thousands of other young protesters held in custody as rights groups warn the regime could unleash a bloody revenge in an attempt to quell the continuation of protests. According to the UN, some 14,000 people, including children, have been detained by the regime since protests began more than eight weeks ago after 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died in custody after being arrested by Iran’s morality police. “In the past six weeks, thousands of men, women and children – by some accounts over 14,000 people – have been arrested, including human rights defenders, students, lawyers, journalists and civil society activists,” said Javaid Rehman, the special rapporteur. on the human rights situation in Iran on Wednesday. “In another, more disturbing development, Iranian authorities announced earlier this week that they will hold public trials for over 1,000 people arrested in Tehran and a similar number outside the capital… Charges against these individuals will include charges… with the death penalty. In the absence of domestic channels of accountability, I will emphasize the importance of the international community’s role and responsibility in addressing impunity for human rights violations in Iran.” On November 6, 227 Iranian lawmakers urged the judiciary “to deal decisively with the perpetrators of these crimes and with all those who aided the crimes and provoked rioters,” which rights activists fear will lead to a wave of executions and life imprisonment . by the courts in the coming weeks. Authorities have announced plans to hold trials for 1,000 protesters held in Tehran. Iran: students hold vigil for Mahsa Amini 40 days after her death – video The Hengaw Organization for Human Rights said high-profile prisoners like Yasin could be used by the Iranian regime to try to terrorize those who continue to protest. Yassin, a well-known and accomplished artist and rapper, has been an outspoken critic of the regime. He wrote messages of support to the protesters on his social media channels and has written several protest songs. “We know that the government kills people easily and directly sentences prisoners to death,” said Soma Rostami from Hengaw. “Shaman Yasin is in grave danger and we must be his voice.” Other human rights groups say authorities have tried to silence Yassin’s family, who have not been identified since he was accused of moharrabeh (enmity against God) earlier this week. Subscribe to Global Dispatch Get a different view of the world with a collection of the best news, features and images, curated by our global development team Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain information about charities, online advertising and content sponsored by external parties. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Yasin’s death sentence comes amid allegations that he and other protesters are being tortured in custody. Family members of Toomaj Salehi, a 32-year-old musician and rapper who is also in custody after being arrested on September 30 with two friends, claim he has been subjected to “severe torture” at the hands of the regime for releasing songs about supporting the protesters and posting photos of him shouting slogans against the security forces in Isfahan. Protest at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin against the arrest of the well-known Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi. Photo: snapshot-photo/F Boillot/Rex/Shutterstock The popular artist’s arrest has led to online petitions calling for his release, with supporters widely sharing the hashtag #FreeToomaj. “When we heard of his arrest, we were devastated, but not defeated. We are currently trying to do everything we can to continue what he advocated and urge the leaders of the international community to hold the Islamic Republic accountable for their crimes against humanity, release Toomaj and all Iranians who are imprisoned and tortured on a daily basis base, all because they are seeking freedom,” said one of Salehi’s friends, who cannot be named for security reasons. “We know they want to traumatize us even more and instill fear in us. What matters is that the brutal regime of the Islamic Republic arrests critics and innocent citizens and violates their own laws,” he said. “Even if the lawyers go to court on behalf of their families, they too risk being arrested. We have no information about his health, what he has been accused of or his health condition and we are seriously concerned for his life.” Last week, two female journalists who helped break the story of Mahsa Amini’s death were charged as CIA spies by Iranian authorities, a charge that carries the death penalty.
