By Sheetal Prasad |
Tehran: In a development that has drawn global attention, Iranian authorities are preparing to execute Bita Hemmati, reportedly the first female protester to receive a death sentence over her alleged involvement in anti-government demonstrations that erupted earlier this year.
According to the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), Hemmati has been charged alongside several others with serious offences, including violence against security forces, use of explosives, and participation in acts deemed threatening to national security.
Who is Bita Hemmati?
Bita Hemmati is among a group of protesters arrested in Tehran during a wave of nationwide unrest that began in late December 2025. Authorities allege that she and her co-accused engaged in activities such as throwing stones, bottles, and inflammable materials from rooftops, as well as damaging public property and chanting anti-regime slogans.
Her husband, Mohammadreza Majid Asl (34), along with two other men identified as Kourosh Zamaninezhad and Behrouz, has also been sentenced to death in the same case. Reports further indicate that their properties have been confiscated following the verdict.
Charges and legal action
Iranian judicial authorities have framed the charges as violations of national security laws, linking the accused to hostile groups. In a related development, a relative identified as Amir Hemmati has reportedly been sentenced to six years in prison on charges of conspiracy against national security and spreading anti-regime propaganda.
Backdrop: Iran’s protest crackdown
The case comes against the backdrop of widespread protests that swept across Iran starting in December 2025. Initially triggered by strikes among shopkeepers and traders in Tehran, the unrest quickly spread nationwide, drawing participation from students and various sections of society.
The government responded with an extensive crackdown. Reports indicate that thousands were killed, many injured, and tens of thousands arrested during the unrest. Over subsequent months, several individuals linked to the protests have been executed.
Rising executions raise concerns
Human rights organisations, including Norway-based Iran Human Rights and Paris-based Together Against the Death Penalty, have reported a sharp rise in executions in Iran. At least 1,639 people were executed last year alone, including 48 women — a significant increase compared to 2024 figures.
Bita Hemmati’s case has now become a focal point in the ongoing debate over Iran’s judicial actions and its handling of dissent, with international observers closely monitoring developments.
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