Iran: Bita Ali-Hemati, sentenced to death and five years’ imprisonment, at risk of a new death sentence
Case No. 10 | Case ID: IRN-DP-1404-010 | Last reviewed: 4 September 2026
| Bita Ali-Hemati, a married mother of two residing in Tehran, was arrested with her husband at their home on Jomhouri Street on 9 January 2026. Branch 26 sentenced her to death, five years’ imprisonment and confiscation of all property. The judgment was quashed on 17 May 2026 and the case returned to the trial court. She remains at risk of a new death sentence. |
Key Case Information
| Category | Information |
| Full name | Bita Ali-Hemati |
| Date of birth | Unknown |
| Age | Unknown |
| Occupation before arrest | Not specified in the available information |
| Family status | Married; mother of two |
| Date and place of arrest | 9 January 2026, her home with her husband, Jomhouri Street, Tehran |
| Charges | Assembly and collusion against national security; alleged operational action on behalf of a hostile state; protest-related charges |
| Court | Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court |
| Judge | Iman Afshari |
| Lawyer | Unknown |
| Sentence | Death, five years’ imprisonment and confiscation of all property; judgment quashed and case returned for retrial |
| Current place of detention | Tehran prisons; exact location unknown |
Human and Personal Background
Bita Ali-Hemati is a married mother of two residing in Tehran. She is the wife of Mohammad-Reza Majidi-Asl, one of the defendants in the same case. Her age, date of birth, occupation, education and medical condition are unknown.
Arrest, Trial and Sentencing
Security agents reportedly raided her home on Jomhouri Street, Tehran, at approximately 3 a.m. on 9 January 2026 and violently arrested her and her husband. Three other individuals were arrested simultaneously. Information about her transfer, interrogation and access to counsel remains incomplete.
Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced her to death, five years’ imprisonment and confiscation of all property for alleged operational action on behalf of a hostile state. The judgment referred to protests, slogans, throwing objects, property damage and explosives, but did not clearly establish her individual role or independent evidence.
On 17 May 2026, the judgment was reportedly quashed and the case returned to Judge Afshari’s branch.
Statements from Prison or by Family
No direct statement by Bita Ali-Hemati, her family or lawyer is available.
Government Response and Conduct
Judicial authorities have not transparently explained the evidence, access to counsel or reasons for quashing the judgment. Reports of pressure and possible coerced confessions require independent investigation.
International Reactions
No specific official statement by the United Nations, UN Special Rapporteurs or Amnesty International has been identified.
Current Status and Risk of Execution
Although the original judgment was quashed, the return of the case to the trial court leaves her at risk of a new death sentence. Her exact place of detention in Tehran is unknown.
Human Rights and Fair Trial Analysis
Right to life: Imposing the death penalty for protest-related allegations, without clear evidence of intentional killing or a direct threat to life, is incompatible with the “most serious crimes” standard.
Right to a fair trial
Uncertainty concerning the evidence, her individual role and access to counsel raises serious concerns regarding the right of defence and the presumption of innocence.
Prohibition of torture and coerced confessions: Allegations of pressure and coerced confessions must be investigated promptly and independently.
Conclusion
Bita Ali-Hemati was sentenced to death, five years’ imprisonment and confiscation of property in a case linked to the January protests. Despite the annulment of the judgment, the case remains capable of producing a new death sentence.
Urgent Appeal
UN bodies, governments and international human rights organisations are urged to protect Bita Ali-Hemati’s rights and prevent her execution.
Immediately halt any step towards execution and disclose the current judicial status.
Guarantee immediate and confidential access to counsel of choice and adequate facilities for the defence.
- Investigate allegations of pressure, torture and coerced confessions.
- Ensure any retrial takes place before an independent court without recourse to the death penalty.
- Guarantee regular family contact and access to necessary medical care.
- Publish the judgment, evidence and legal basis for the sentence where they are not publicly available.
- Conduct an independent and impartial investigation into reported violations, where applicable.
- Ensure any retrial takes place before an independent and impartial tribunal without recourse to the death penalty.
Guarantee regular family
