The Hana Human Rights Organization has learned that the death sentence against Leila Abolhosseini, a 43-year-old woman and mother of two teenage daughters who was arrested during the January 2026 protests in Shahin Shahr, Isfahan Province, has been overturned by the Supreme Court. Her case has been referred back to the court for reconsideration.
Ms. Abolhosseini was arrested on the evening of January 8, 2026, amid protests in Shahin Shahr and transferred to Dowlatabad Prison in Isfahan. She had previously been sentenced to death by Branch Five of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Vahid Hemmatnejad, on charges of “moharebeh” (enmity against God).
The judiciary accused her of participating in the burning of an Ofogh Kourosh supermarket. However, people close to Ms. Abolhosseini have rejected the accusation, stating that she was arrested while filming the scene of the fire. To date, the full text of the court ruling and the evidence relied upon by the court to substantiate the charge have not been made public.
It should be noted that Ms. Abolhosseini’s death sentence was overturned by the Supreme Court following an appeal filed by her lawyer. However, the case has been referred back to the court for reconsideration, and no information is available regarding the date of the retrial or its eventual outcome.