Iranian rapper Arash Seyedi, known as Eycin, and his music producer Rasam Sohrabi were arrested during an underground performance at a café in western Tehran on Thursday, eyewitnesses reported. The incident occurred in the Janatabad neighborhood, where plainclothes officers stormed the venue and took Eycin and Sohrabi into custody, along with several others present at the event. The arrest was captured in a video obtained by Iran International, which shows the moment the officers arrived and detained the rapper.
According to one source who wished to remain anonymous for security reasons, Eycin had been on a tour, organizing underground performances in various cafés, including in Qeshm in recent weeks. The source explained that the authorities arrived with a van and sealed off the venue, detaining everyone inside. However, the fans were later released, while Eycin and Sohrabi remained in detention.
The following morning, Eycin and Sohrabi were brought before a court, though the exact charges against them have not yet been revealed. The arrest comes as part of an ongoing crackdown on underground music performances in Iran, which have been growing in popularity. Rappers, particularly those involved in the underground scene, have faced increasing repression by the government.
This move by Iranian authorities to target underground musicians follows the broader trend of suppressing artistic expression in the country, particularly since the nationwide protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini in September 2022. Human rights organizations have condemned the Iranian government’s stance on artistic freedom, especially after the death sentences of rappers Toomaj Salehi and Saman Yasin, which were later revoked following international outcry. The arrest of Eycin and Sohrabi further highlights the risks faced by artists in Iran today.
